Diffuse and nodular type hepatocellular carcinoma - a comparative study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. Diffuse HCC (dHCC) is rare and data on such tumours are limited. METHOD: Ail consenting patients with HCC referred to Colombo North Liver Unit, Ragama (September 2011-February 2014) were Included. Tumours with diffuse margins on imaging were categorized as dHCC, while tumours with clear nodular morphology were categorized as nodular HCC (nHCC). Baseline parameters, treatment options and survival were compared between the two types. RESULTS: 203 HCCs were included in the study [dHCC=41(20%):87.8% males; nHCC=162(80%) 89.5% males]. The median age at presentation in the two groups was similar [dHCC 63.58(47-76) years, nHCC 62.13(12-88) years]. More patients with dHCC had a significant alcohol intake (68.9% vs. 41.7%, p=0.002). Background cirrhosis was present in 90.2% of dHCC compared to 79.1% in nHCC (p<0.05). Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase, INR, total bilirubin, platelet count and MELD scores were similar in the two groups. Median alfa fetoprotein (AFP) was significantly higher in dHCC (136 vs 31ng/mL, p<0.001). Similar typical enhancement pattern on dynamic imaging was noted in the two groups (80.5% dHCC, 84.4% nHCC). dHCC had high incidence of major vascular invasion(78% vs 23.5%, p<0.001). Seventy six point nine percent of dHCC had only palliative care compared to 28.4% in nHCC was two months compared to 8 months in nHCC. CONCLUSION: 1/5 of HCCs were of the diffuse type. Patients dHCC had a significant alcohol intake. They had higher AFP, advanced disease at presentation with more vascular invasion and a worse prognosis than nHCC.