Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fatty acids and triglycerides within the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes of non-alcohol users. The natural history varies according to the initial histological diagnosis. A current consideration is that cryptogenic cirrhosis may be representative of a late stage of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has lost its features of necroinflammatory activity and steatosis in up to 80% of patients. Since NASH is able to progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development may be an end-stage of this disease. We report below two clinical cases of patients diagnosed with NASH who developed HCC. The relationship between NAFLD and HCC is reviewed.
Cuadrado
Antonio
A
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain.
Orive
Aitor
A
García-Suárez
Covadonga
C
Domínguez
Agustín
A
Fernández-Escalante
Jose Carlos
JC
Crespo
Javier
J
Pons-Romero
Fernando
F
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications