Original Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2013; 19(30): 4887-4896
Published online Aug 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i30.4887
Histopathology of type C liver disease for determining hepatocellular carcinoma risk factors
Hiroshi Matsumura, Kazushige Nirei, Hitomi Nakamura, Teruhisa Higuchi, Yasuo Arakawa, Masahiro Ogawa, Naohide Tanaka, Mitsuhiko Moriyama
Hiroshi Matsumura, Kazushige Nirei, Hitomi Nakamura, Teruhisa Higuchi, Yasuo Arakawa, Masahiro Ogawa, Naohide Tanaka, Mitsuhiko Moriyama, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo173-8610, Japan
Author contributions: Matsumura H designed and performed the experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript; Nirei K edited the manuscript; Nakamura H, Higuchi T, Arakawa Y, Ogawa M and Tanaka N were involved in editing the manuscript; Moriyama M suggested the study concept, scored the histological findings, and edited the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Hiroshi Matsumura, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi Kamimachi, Itabashiku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan. hsh.matsumura@nifty.com
Telephone: +81-3-39728111-2423 Fax: +81-3-39568496
Received: January 22, 2013
Revised: June 6, 2013
Accepted: June 19, 2013
Published online: August 14, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: To evaluate the histopathological findings of type C liver disease to determine risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we studied 232 patients, who underwent liver biopsy, with sustained virological response after interferon therapy. We investigated in detail the histopathological findings, and analyzed the findings to determine the risk factors. Consequently, atypical hepatocytes among irregular regeneration of hepatocytes may be an important risk factor for HCC development, along with progression of liver fibrosis. Clarification of atypical hepatocytes as a risk factor of carcinogenesis may aid in the early diagnosis of HCC.