Abstract

Liver cell dysplasia of Anthony(LCD) is a common association in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)-bearing liver and has been regarded as a premalignant condition with strong linkage to hepatitis B virus infection and cirrhosis. A total of 189 surgically resected livers [HCC(168 cases), cholangiocarcinoma(3 cases), metastatic carcinoma(3 cases), and non-neoplastic lesions(15 cases)] were reviewed to elucidate the nature of LCD by means of light microscopic examination, in situ hybridization method for HBV DNA and expression of proliferatin cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) using immunohistochemical technique. LCD was present in 141 cases(74.6%), and its prevalence rate was independently significant in HCCs with or without cirrhosis than other groups. There was no difference in mean age, although LCD-positive group was younger than its negative counterpart. Association rate of LCD in HCC-cirrhosis group was statistically significant than the non-cirrhotic group, and higher histological grading of LCD was correlated well with wider distribution pattern and clustering. Seropositivity of HBsAg was not correlated with presence of LCD or with histological grading. In situ hybridization techique using HBV DNA probe demonstrated fine granular stainable particles even in LCD cells. Immunohistochemical study for PCNA revealed that the proliferative activity of LCD was lower than that of the cirrhotic cell. With the above results it is concluded that LCD reflects neither a regenerating condition nor a premalignant lesion but suggest a reactive change.

• Keywords: Liver cell dysplasia;In situ hybridization;Proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA);Hepatocellular carcinoma