Original Article


DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF EXTRACELLULAR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND THEIR CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Yuan-gen Fu, Zhi-zhi Huan, Shui-ping Liu, Shao-yian Zheng, Ying-rui Liang, Yan-qin Shen, Rui-ming Zheng, Qiao-shan Li

Abstract

Objective: In order to find out the distribution patterns of extracellular matrix (ECM) in hepatoceilular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the relationshi between distribution patterns and hepatocellular caricnoma malignancy.
Methods: Forty cases of HCC were studied by immunohitochemistry with 5 antibodies of anti-ECM.
Results; Four types of distribution patterns were found: 1. continuous peritrabecular or periacinar type; 2. discontinuous peritrabecular or periacinar type; 3. vascular stroma type; 4. membrane and cytoplasmic type. The former 3 types were correlated closely with the growth pattern, cell differntiation and proliferation of tumor.
Conclusions: ECM were useful marker for valution of malignant degree in HCC.