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Histopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma in Zaire
Author(s) -
Kashala Lukumuena O.,
Kalengayi Mbowa M. R.,
Conne Béatrice,
Kapanci Yusuf,
Frei Philippe C.,
Lambert Paul H.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19900101)65:1<130::aid-cncr2820650126>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , hbsag , medicine , cirrhosis , pathology , immunohistochemistry , carcinoma , hepatitis , gastroenterology , hepatitis b virus , immunology , virus
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 < 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 (< 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.