Dysplastic Nodule im Liver / 한국간담췌외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Dysplastic nodule (DN), which is nodular hepatocellular proliferation of at least 1mm in diameter, is detected most often through radiological and pathological observations in chronic advanced liver diseases. DNs characteristically contain portal tracts and they can be classified into low grade for mild atypia and high grade for at least moderate atypia that is insufficient for the diagnosis of malignancy. DNs are supplied portal venous blood and arterial blood supply. In unpaired arteries, new angiogenesis, shows stepwise increases in the following order of DN low grade, DN high grade, early hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are convincing clinicopathological data to support the premise that DNs are considered to be precancerous lesions and early stages of multistep processes of hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Extensive clinicopathological and molecular study can provide a better understanding of the characteristics of DNs and new therapeutic approaches to DNs.