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The Pathology and Molecular Pathology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Pathology and Epidemiology of Cancer

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Abstract

In this chapter, we introduce readers to the embryology, anatomy, and histology of the normal liver, before describing the features of precancerous liver nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma. The challenges in diagnosing a high-grade dysplastic nodule versus early hepatocellular carcinoma are discussed, together with the use of immunohistochemistry in differentiating these lesions. The molecular mechanisms leading to liver carcinogenesis are focused on in the remainder of the chapter, as an understanding of these alterations is necessary to guide forthcoming studies. The main challenges for future researchers will be to substantiate the promising experimental data on early markers of liver carcinogenesis and on new targets for biological therapies. To achieve such goals the availability of well epidemiologically annotated series of hepatocellular carcinoma patients will represent a necessary requirement.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. S.Orsola-Malpighi Teaching Hospital, Addarii Institute of Oncology, Bologna, 40138, Italy

    Francesco Vasuri, Francesca Giunchi & Michelangelo Fiorentino

Authors
  1. Francesco Vasuri
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  2. Francesca Giunchi
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  3. Michelangelo Fiorentino
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michelangelo Fiorentino .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Molecular Oncologic Pathology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Massimo Loda

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Lorelei A. Mucci

  3. Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Megan L. Mittelstadt

  4. King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Mieke Van Hemelrijck

  5. Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Maura Bríd Cotter

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Vasuri, F., Giunchi, F., Fiorentino, M. (2017). The Pathology and Molecular Pathology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. In: Loda, M., Mucci, L., Mittelstadt, M., Van Hemelrijck, M., Cotter, M. (eds) Pathology and Epidemiology of Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-35153-7_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-35153-7_24

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-35151-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-35153-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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