Between 1995 and 1997 we studied 100 patients with hepatocarcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. Of these 74 were males and 26 females with a mean age of 66 years. 13% patients were only HbsAg positive, 75% only anti-HCV positive, 6% HbsAg and anti-HCV and the etiology in 6% of cases was alcoholic. Alpha-foetoprotein was >400 ng/ml in only 18% of cases and portal thrombosis was present in 12%. Mononodular HCC was observed in 63% of cases (small HCC in only 38%) and in 79% was localized to the right lobe. Of the mononodular types, 70% were shown by echography to be hypoechoic, 6% hysoechoic, 6% hyperechoic and 17% mixed patterns. Histologically, 49% were well-differentiated, 45% moderately-differentiated and 6% poorly-differentiated. No correlation was found between histologic pattern and number of nodules. Well-differentiated HCC was found in 51% of mononodular types and in 46% of multinodular types. Moderately-differentiated HCC was detected in 46% and 43% respectively and poorly-differentiated HCC in 3% and 11% respectively. No correlation was found between number of nodules and the degree of Edmonson.