DNA-PLOIDY OF FIBROLAMELLAR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA BY IMAGE-ANALYSIS

Twelve cases of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) were eval uated for DNA ploidy by means of image analysis of Feulgen-stained tis sue sections. All of the tumors showed a nondiploid DNA distribution ( six aneuploid and six tetraploid); no diploid pattern was found. The n uclear area of the tumors (53.8 mu m(2) +/- 18.0; mean +/- standard de viation) was significantly larger than that of the surrounding noncanc erous livers (33.2 +/- 4.7; P < .0001). These findings suggest that DN A content in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is not directly related to the clinical behavior and that other factors may be responsible for th e better prognosis of this variant of HCC. HUM PATHOL 25:936-939. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.