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Hitherto unrecognized arterioles within hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Himeno Hiromi,
Enzan Hideaki,
Saibara Toshiji,
Onishi Saburo,
Yamamoto Yasutake
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711740311
Subject(s) - hypervascularity , hepatocellular carcinoma , pathology , carcinoma , pathological , microcirculation , monoclonal antibody , biology , medicine , antibody , cancer research , immunology
The distribution of blood vessels in human hepatocellular carcinoma was studied with the anit‐α‐smooth muscle actin monoclonal antibody by light and electron microscopy, and with morphometric analysis. α‐Smooth muscle actin‐positive arterioles were never observed in lobules or pseudolobules of non‐cancerous areas, but were frequently seen within hepatocellular carcinomas. Morphometric analysis revealed that most of these arterioles measured between 10 and 25 μm in diameter. The morphology of intratumoural arterioles differed considerably from that of conventional arteries in the portal tracts of the non‐cancerous area. The presence of abundant intratumoural arterioles can explain the angiographic hypervascularity of hepatocellular carcinoma and provides a pathological basis for its susceptibility to hypoxia and for arterial embolization as a therapeutic strategy.