Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma

Obes Surg. 2005 Mar;15(3):442-6. doi: 10.1381/0960892053576596.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fatty acids and triglycerides within the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes of non-alcohol users. The natural history varies according to the initial histological diagnosis. A current consideration is that cryptogenic cirrhosis may be representative of a late stage of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has lost its features of necroinflammatory activity and steatosis in up to 80% of patients. Since NASH is able to progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development may be an end-stage of this disease. We report below two clinical cases of patients diagnosed with NASH who developed HCC. The relationship between NAFLD and HCC is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatty Liver / complications*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications