Clinicopathological and ultrasonographic study of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt

ABSTRACT

This work was done on 60 patients diagnosed on clinical and ultrasonographic bases to have HCC. For each patient clinical assessment, laboratory, ultrasonographic examination, ultrasonic guided biopsies and pathological studies were done. The main symptoms and signs included abdominal pain, distension, loss of weight, hard irregular hepatomegaly, jaundice and ascites. Laboratory results were not conclusive. Main changes observed were increased ESR, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and SGOT. Ultrasonic results showed that the main lesions were nodular lesions [91.7%] and the commonest echo pattern was hyperechoic [57.7%]. Different associated lesions as portal vein thrombosis, and Budd Chiari syndrome were found. Histological and cytological results showed that the commonest tumors were grade II [60%] and the main tumor pattern was trabecular [86.7%]. No correlation was found between ultrasonic findings and pathological grading. Different chronic liver diseases were found in 87% of cases, mainly chronic active hepatitis and/or cirrhosis