title: Histopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma in Zaire.
abstract: The pathology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied based on 223 Zairian HCC cases registered from 1966 to 1985. The observations included the following: (1) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status, (2) histologic types, (3) degree of cellular differentiation, and (4) frequency and types of the accompanying cirrhosis. Serum HBsAg was positive in 56.7% of HCC patients and 5.7% of controls (P less than 0.001). Immunohistochemical localization of HBsAg was positive in 53.3% in normal hepatocytes and in 10% in neoplastic cells. Morphologically, mixed type HCC (48.4%), trabecular (31.4%), and compact variants (13.5%) were predominant. Clear cell and pseudoglandular variants were rare (less than 1%). The majority of tumors (83%) were poorly differentiated HCC (Grades: 2-3, 3, 3-4, and 4). Well-differentiated HCC were extremely rare (0.5%). Fifty percent of HCC arose in a cirrhotic liver, predominantly of the macronodular (67.4%) inactive (55%) type. The micronodular cirrhosis was very uncommon (1.1%). These findings clearly show the excess of poorly differentiated HCC in African patients and suggest a possible link between the morphologic features of HCC in Africa and its extraordinary fast-running course.
authors: Department of Pathology, Kinshasa University Hospital, Zaire.
authors: L O
authors: LO
authors: Kashala
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Conne
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Kalengayi
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Kapanci
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Frei
authors: P H
authors: PH
authors: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens