Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-cirrhotic liver: clinical, radiological and pathological findings.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to evaluate the clinical and pathological findings, mutidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances, treatment and 1-year survival of patients with HCC in non-cirrhotic liver.


METHODS
Histopathological and laboratory findings of 30 non-cirrhotic patients with 32 HCCs were reviewed retrospectively. MDCT and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR images were evaluated in consensus by two radiologists in terms of HCC size, presence of tumour capsule, necrosis, haemorrhage, fat and calcification, and vascular involvement. Imaging patterns were compared directly with HCC findings in a matched group of cirrhotic patients.


RESULTS
No differences between non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients were noted in terms of serum α-fetoprotein levels (elevated in 11 [36.7%] and 21 [35%] patients, respectively). The imaging appearance at CT and contrast-enhanced MRI was typical in 27 (84.3%) and 28 (87.5%) cases respectively. Most lesions presented as a well-differentiated large solitary mass, with well-defined margins, areas of necrosis and peripheral capsule. No significant differences in HCC pattern were observed between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver.


CONCLUSIONS
In non-cirrhotic patients, HCC is more likely to manifest as an asymptomatic mass with elevation of serum tumour markers similar to that seen in cirrhotic patients. HCC in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic livers show similar enhancement patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
HCC shows similar CT/MRI pattern in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic livers. Non-invasive diagnostic criteria for HCC should also be extended to non-cirrhotic livers. No differences were found between α-fetoprotein levels in non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients.
Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy, micdimartino@hotmail.it.
Michele
M
Di Martino
Luca
L
Saba
Sandro
S
Bosco
Massimo
M
Rossi
Kirchin A
KA
Miles
Rossella
R
Di Miscio
Concetta Valentina
CV
Lombardo
Elisabetta
E
Tamponi
Mario
M
Piga
Carlo
C
Catalano
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends