Histopathological features of non-tumoral liver tissue in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives To evaluate which are the histopathological features of non-tumoral liver tissue in Peruvian patients with diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Material and methods We selected hepatectomized patients with diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and reviewed the medical records and slides. The score of Ishak modified was used to assess grading of chronic liver inflammation and fibrosis. Results The median age was 66 years. The hepatitis B virus serology was positive in 2 of 7 patients, being negative for hepatitis C in 6 of 7 patients. Patients showed no significant inflammatory activity, 5 of the 7 patients had a score of ≤5/18 activity, while the fibrosis score was ≤2/6 in 6 of 7 patients. Conclusions In Peru, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing, being also a greater proportion of patients who don’t have cirrhosis in comparison with the countries of the northern hemisphere. Likewise factors like infection by hepatitis B virus, although it is true that this is an etiological factor not only of hepatocellular carcinoma but also of cirrhosis and chronic inflammatory process as precursor entities in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is necessary also to investigate other genetic and environmental factors in order to better understand the pathogenesis of this disease.