COMPARISON OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION BETWEEN EXPANSIVE TYPE AND INFILTRATIVE TYPE OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
Abstract
Objective: To study the ultrastructure and biological characteristics of expansive type of hepatoeellular carcinoma (EHCC).
Methods: Examination of EHCC and infiltrative type of hepatocellular carcinoma (IHCC) (each 20 cases) by electron microscope (EM) to compare their ultrastructure.
Results: The 40 cases were divided into 3 groups: 16 cases of well differentiated EIICC, 4 cases of poorly differentiated EHCC, and 20 cases of poorly differentiated IHCC. The ultrastructure of well differentiated EHCC was similar to the surrounding non-cancer hepatocytes; the characteristics of them were as follows: 1. Cell membrane was developed well and cell border was clear; 2. Round nucleus was of regular shape; nuclear membrane was smooth; 3. Nucleoll were round, regular and bigger than normal; and 4. Plentiful endoplasmie reticulum and mitochondria were well developed. The ultrastruclure of poorly differentiated EHCC and IHCC were identical: l. Membrane was poorly developed; 2. Irregular nuclei were deeply indented or Iobulated and many pseudoinclusions were seen; 3. Majority of the nucleoli were big, sponges or ring-formed; 4. Organdies were plentiful or scanty and tended to be degenerated.
Conclusion: Most of the EHCC were mature by EM observation; this explained the EHCC's slow growth pattern, but some still had invasive potential.
Methods: Examination of EHCC and infiltrative type of hepatocellular carcinoma (IHCC) (each 20 cases) by electron microscope (EM) to compare their ultrastructure.
Results: The 40 cases were divided into 3 groups: 16 cases of well differentiated EIICC, 4 cases of poorly differentiated EHCC, and 20 cases of poorly differentiated IHCC. The ultrastructure of well differentiated EHCC was similar to the surrounding non-cancer hepatocytes; the characteristics of them were as follows: 1. Cell membrane was developed well and cell border was clear; 2. Round nucleus was of regular shape; nuclear membrane was smooth; 3. Nucleoll were round, regular and bigger than normal; and 4. Plentiful endoplasmie reticulum and mitochondria were well developed. The ultrastruclure of poorly differentiated EHCC and IHCC were identical: l. Membrane was poorly developed; 2. Irregular nuclei were deeply indented or Iobulated and many pseudoinclusions were seen; 3. Majority of the nucleoli were big, sponges or ring-formed; 4. Organdies were plentiful or scanty and tended to be degenerated.
Conclusion: Most of the EHCC were mature by EM observation; this explained the EHCC's slow growth pattern, but some still had invasive potential.