Hepatocellular carcinoma arising in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Pathol Int. 2001 Feb;51(2):127-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1827.2001.01174.x.

Abstract

The incidence and significance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has not been previously evaluated in detail. We recently experienced a case of NASH with multicentric HCC in a female patient. At the age of 58 years, the patient was diagnosed with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, treated by insulin therapy. The patient did not drink alcohol. She was negative for all serological markers of hepatitis B and C virus infection. Because of liver dysfunction, a needle biopsy was performed at the age of 62 years, and pathological findings, such as fatty change, Mallory's body, nuclear glycogen and pericellular fibrosis, suggested a diagnosis of NASH. Subsequently, four nodules were detected in the liver by imaging. Liver biopsies were performed from each nodule. One nodule was pathologically diagnosed as a pseudolymphoma, while three other nodules were moderately differentiated HCC (10 years after the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), well-differentiated HCC (11 years later) and dysplastic nodule (11 years later), suggesting multicentric occurrence of HCC. This case suggests that HCC could be a late complication of NASH.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Fatty Liver / complications*
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis / complications*
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged