Liver Cancer

LIVER CANCER Pathophysiology Hepatoc Hepatocellu ellular lar carcinom carcinoma a (HCC) (HCC) is a maligna malignant nt tumor tumor of hepatoc hepatocellu ellular lar origin origin that devel develops ops in patie patients nts with with risk risk factor factors s such such as alcoh alcohol ol abus abuse, e, vir viral al hep hepatit atitis is,, and meta metabo boli lic c live liverr dise diseas ase. e. It can can also also occu occur, r, rare rarely ly,, in pati patien ents ts with with norm normal al live liver  r  2 parenchyma. Grossly, HCC can undergo hemorrhage and necrosis because of a lack of fibrous stroma. Vascular invasion, particularly of the portal system, is common. Invasion of the bilia biliary ry syste system m is less less comm common. on. Aggre Aggress ssiv ive e HCC HCC can cause cause hepat hepatic ic ruptur rupture e and hemoperitoneum. There are 3 growth patterns exhibited by HCC: • • •

Solitary mass - Often large Multifocal or nodular pattern - Multiple nodules Diffuse - Multiple, small foci scattered diffusely throughout the liver 

Microscopically, HCC cells resemble normal hepatocytes and can be confused with cells cells of hepat hepatic ic adeno adenoma ma.. Tumo Tumors rs that that are more more diffe differen rentia tiate ted d can can prod produce uce bile. bile. HCC can produce alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as well as other serum proteins.