Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: pathological analysis of 11 cases.
BACKGROUND
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign tumor-like lesion of the liver, predominantly affecting women. Its etiology is obscure and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. FNH should be differentiated from other benign and malignant hepatic lesions. The aim of this study was to explore the pathological characteristics of FNH of the liver.


METHODS
Eleven patients with FNH were studied retrospectively by using hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical and histochemical staining.


RESULTS
In 8 female and 3 male FNH patients aged 19 to 54 years (mean 32), most of lesions showed central scars macroscopically. Microscopically 8 patients were found of classical type, 2 were of telangiectic type, and 1 was of mixed type.


CONCLUSIONS
FNH is an uncommon benign hyperplastic lesion of the liver. It should be differentiated from hepatocellular adenoma, alpha-fetoprotein negative hepatocellular carcinoma, and fibrolamellar carcinoma.
Pan
Yi
Y
Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China. tjphy@hotmail.com
Wang
Zhao-Ming
ZM
Mou
Ling-Jun
LJ
Teng
Xiao-Dong
XD
Zheng
Zhou-Jun
ZJ
Ying
Li-Xiong
LX
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020518:Focal Nodular Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies