Hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic livers is associated with steatosis rather than steatohepatitis: potential implications for pathogenesis
Publication year
2016Source
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 28, 8, (2016), pp. 955-962ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
Gastroenterology
Journal title
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Volume
vol. 28
Issue
iss. 8
Page start
p. 955
Page end
p. 962
Subject
Radboudumc 14: Tumours of the digestive tract RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health SciencesAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increased in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS), possibly related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). As histological features of NAFLD may regress in cirrhosis, we compared steatosis versus steatohepatitis in the nontumoral liver of noncirrhotic HCC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective clinicopathological analysis was carried out in 91 noncirrhotic HCC patients. Patients were divided into three subgroups: that is, patients with: (1) MS without other risk factors for underlying liver disease, (2) no underlying risk factors, or (3) other risk factors (with or without MS). The NAFLD activity score (NAS) less than 3 was classified as no steatohepatitis, NAS 3-4 as borderline steatohepatitis, and NAS 5 or more as definite steatohepatitis. RESULTS: Eleven (12%) patients had MS without other risk factors (group 1). In the nontumoral liver, significant steatosis (>/=5% of hepatocytes) was generally present (in 10/11 patients), with mild lobular inflammation and absence of ballooning in most cases. Absence of steatohepatitis, borderline steatohepatitis, and definite steatohepatitis were found in 55, 45, and 0% of cases, respectively. In groups 2 and 3, significant steatosis was frequently present (in 16/37 and 21/43 patients, respectively). Absence of steatohepatitis, borderline steatohepatitis, and definite steatohepatitis were found in 84, 16, and 0% of cases (group 2), respectively, in 77, 23, and 0% of cases (group 3). CONCLUSION: In noncirrhotic HCC patients, histological steatosis was frequently present, whereas overt steatohepatitis did not occur. These findings may be relevant for HCC pathogenesis in NAFLD.
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- Faculty of Medical Sciences [80280]
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