Cell regeneration in the pathobiology of liver carcinomas.
It is known that there is a close relationship between cirrhosis and liver cancer. The proliferative phenomena characterizing liver cirrhosis seem to be predisposing factors for carcinoma. In fact, they differ from the self-limiting proliferative phenomena occurring in normal liver regeneration because they are associated with: 1) an abnormal hormonal pattern; 2) an altered arrangement of hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells within the lobule; 3) an altered production of growth factors able to modulate liver regeneration; and 4) an abnormal oncogene expression. Under such conditions many carcinogens, which require the target cell to be in a replicative phase, have the opportunity to act.
Francavilla
A
A
Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Università di Bari, Italy.
Barone
M
M
Azzarone
A
A
Panella
C
C
Giangaspero
A
A
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008115:Liver Regeneration