EARLY HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA THAT DEVELOPS WITHIN MACROREGENERATIVENODULES - GROWTH-RATE DEPLETED AT SERIAL MR-IMAGING

PURPOSE: To assess by means of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging the gro wth rate of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that develops within macroregenerative nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial MR imaging wa s performed in five patients with six macroregenerative nodules that d emonstrated a ''nodule-within-nodule'' pattern (small intranodular foc us). The diameter and volume increases of the internal foci at differe nt time intervals were estimated. Average doubling time (DT) was then calculated. RESULTS: The tiny foci within macroregenerative nodules ex hibited rapid growth, with average DTs of 29 weeks for diameter and 9. 5 weeks for volume. HCC was proved histopathologically in all five pat ients. CONCLUSION: HCC, which manifests initially as a small focus wit hin a macroregenerative nodule, has the potential for rapid growth. Th is growth rate should be considered when plans are formulated for foll ow-up and/or treatment.