Microvessel density and clinicopathological characteristics in hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare intratumorous microvessel density (MVD) and clinicopathological features in two different groups of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), namely: hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC (B-HCC) and HCV related HCC (C-HCC).


METHODS
Fifty consecutive cases each of B-HCC and of C-HCC were studied. Microvessel numbers were assessed by staining for the antigen CD34; in each case, three areas with the highest numbers of microvessels were counted in both the intratumorous and the surrounding non-tumorous tissue; the mean value represented the final MVD.


RESULTS
Patients with B-HCC were significantly younger than those with C-HCC (mean age, 60.1 (SD, 4.1) v 66.4 (4.3) years); no significant differences were seen for sex or Child's class distribution. The tumour diameter was larger in B-HCCs than in C-HCCs (mean, 5.6 (SD, 1.8) v 3.8 (1.8) cm). Tumour microsatellite formation was significantly higher in C-HCCs (12 v 4 cases). No differences were found for histological subtype, degree of differentiation, tumour encapsulation, and vascular invasion. The mean MVD value was significantly higher in tumorous (mean, 54 (SD, 13.8) v 38 (8.9)) and in the surrounding non-tumorous liver tissue (mean, 15 (SD, 4.3) v 7 (3.1)) of C-HCCs.


CONCLUSIONS
C-HCCs present as smaller tumours in older patients, with a higher incidence of tumour microsatellite formation and higher MVD values both in the tumorous and the non-tumorous areas, suggesting a link between HCV infection, angiogenesis, and hepatocarcinogenesis.
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence Medical School, Viale G.B. Morgagni, 85, 50134 Florence, Italy.
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Messerini
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Novelli
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D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000473:pathology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D018952:Antigens, CD34