Carcinogenesis Advance Access originally published online on May 29, 2008
Carcinogenesis 2008 29(7):1299-1305; doi:10.1093/carcin/bgn113
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Recent advances in the natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma
Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Università di Bologna, via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
1 Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th floor, Providence, RI 02903, USA
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Unità di Semeiotica Medica, via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy., Tel: +39 051 636 2923;, Fax: +39 051 636 2930;, Email: franco.trevisani{at}unibo.it
Ongoing advances in liver disease management and basic research in recent years have changed our knowledge of the natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, the natural history of this tumor is fairly long and covers a preclinical and a clinical phase. Some of the biological steps involved in cell transformation and different carcinogenic pathways have been identified, disclosing potential novel markers for HCC. Following the progress in surveillance and early diagnosis, much more is now known about precancerous lesions and the process leading to overt HCC, including growth patterns, dedifferentiation and neoangiogenenesis. In particular, research has focused on clinical and biological factors predicting tumor aggressiveness and patients prognosis. Lastly, clinical studies have described tumor presentation, evolution and causes of patients death and how the new knowledge has influenced clinical management and patients survival in recent years. By addressing 10 key questions, this review will summarize well-established and novel features of the natural history of HCC.
Abbreviations: AFP, alfa-fetoprotein; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HGDN, high-grade dysplastic nodule; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; MRN, macroregenerative nodule
Received February 19, 2008; revised April 7, 2008; accepted April 30, 2008.
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