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The capsule surrounding primary liver tumors: Wherefrom its prognostic significance?
Author(s) -
Grigioni W. F.,
D'Errico A.,
Biagini G.,
Mazziotti A.,
Bolondi L.,
Liotta L. A.,
Mancini A. M.,
Garbisa S.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910450411
Subject(s) - pathology , fibronectin , extracellular matrix , stromal cell , capsule , immunohistochemistry , laminin , stroma , desmoplasia , biology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , botany
Abstract Primary liver neoplasms in cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic patients were studied by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical methods for extracellular matrix (ECM) antigens. A capsule of variable thickness was present in many expanding hepatocellular carcinomas, while it was absent in those of small size, and either fragmented or absent in the infiltrating ones. In the capsules of early onset, fibronectin was the most frequent stromal glycoprotein. In the completely formed capsular structures, fibronectin, type‐V collagen and laminin were the most common macromolecules seen. No differences were evident in the pattern of ECM macromolecules in the capsules surrounding hepatocellular carcinomas compared with those found in benign lesions, such as hepatocellular adenomas or focal nodular hyperplasia. The possibility is discussed that the capsule could be a result of the following sequence: tissue with expansive (not infiltrative) growth–mechanical compression–ischemic necrosis of surrounding tissues–repair process with ECM deposition.