Comparative Study of the Three Nodular Lesions in Cirrhosis

Abstract

A large number of livers bearing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) show cirrhosis [1], suggesting a close relationship between hepatocarcinogenesis and regenerative nodules [1–3]. Attempts to identify intermediate lesions between HCCs and regenerative nodules, particularly adenomatoid hyperplasia, have not been successful. Peters [1] in studying alcoholic cirrhosis with multifocal HCCs suggested that a carcinoma arises as a nodular lesion in a regenerative nodule. Anthony [2] reported that liver cell dysplasia, which is frequently found in liver cirrhosis associated with HCC, especially in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients, might be a potential preneoplastic lesion. Other investigators [4] also proposed that iron-resistant areas within regenerative nodules have a preneoplastic significance in man as well as in experimental animals. Clustering of small dysplastic liver cells or Mallory’s body-containing cells in regenerative nodules might also have the same significance in nonalcoholics [3–5].