Specific Characteristics of Scirrhous Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims: Scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma has been defined within general hepatocellular carcinoma. To define scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma, the present study identified the specific characteristics as compared with general hepatocellular carcinoma. Methodology: The scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma was defined when almost all areas of the tumor were occupied with scirrhous structures. It was identified 14 patients with scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma and 300 patients with general hepatocellular carcinoma (control), all underwent hepatectomy from 1988 to 1994. It was compared the clinical background of the patients, prognosis, and pathological features, which included immunohistological staining using Hepatocyte Paraffin 1. Results: All scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma showed whitish, hard forms resembling intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The rates of average ICGR15, positive hepatitis C virus antibody, and microscopic invasion to the bile duct were 12%, 33%, and 20%, respectively, each significantly different than general hepatocellular carcinoma. The cumulative 10-year survival rate of scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma and general hepatocellular carcinoma were 70% and 31%, respectively. With immunohistological staining, 43% of scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma showed negative staining for Hepatocyte Paraffin 1. Conclusions: The scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma has specific characteristics such as lower rates of hepatitis C virus infection, better prognosis, and different histological findings; therefore, scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma should be strictly classified under a new category.