The pathological features of 11 nodules of early hepatocellular carcinoma (EHCC) were studied. Their macroscopic features resembled those of adenomatous hyperplasia and differed from those of advanced hepatocellular carcinomas (AHCC). The EHCC extended along the hepatic lobular structure and lacked expansive growth. The endothelial cells in the sinusoids of EHCC did not react to Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA1) like adenomatous hyperplasia or other liver parenchyma, whereas the endothelial cells in the AHCC did react to UEA1. Immunohistochemically, CD68-positive Kupffer cells were noted in the sinusoids of EHCC, whereas in the AHCC Kupffer cells were not seen. Tumor emboli in the portal vein and intrahepatic metastases were not identified in EHCC, which seemed to be carcinoma-in-situ or a microinvasive stage of hepatocarcinogenesis.