You are here

Article Text

Article menu
Download PDFPDF
Liver disease
Genomic heterogeneity in synchronous hepatocellular carcinomas
  1. Y Sirivatanauksorna,
  2. V Sirivatanauksornd,
  3. S Bhattacharyaa,
  4. B R Davidsona,
  5. A P Dhillonb,
  6. A K Kakkarc,
  7. R C N Williamsonc,
  8. N R Lemoined
  1. aUniversity Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK, bUniversity Department of Histopathology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK, cDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK, dImperial Cancer Research Fund Molecular Oncology Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
  1. Professor N R Lemoine, Imperial Cancer Research Fund Molecular Oncology Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising in cirrhosis is frequently multifocal. Whether HCC develops monoclonally or multiclonally is an unresolved question. Of the multiple tumour nodules present in many patients, it has not been established whether the smaller lesions represent intrahepatic metastases or de novo cancers.

AIMS To assess the degree of genomic heterogeneity in synchronous HCCs in cirrhosis.

METHODS The arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction technique was utilised to compare the DNA fingerprint of HCCs and regenerative nodules (RNs) removed from cirrhotic explant livers.

RESULTS Polymorphic genomic heterogeneity was noted in 54 HCCs and 31 RNs microdissected. Even satellite nodules in close proximity within the same segment of the liver were found to have distinct genomic patterns.

CONCLUSION Such genomic heterogeneity in synchronous HCCs may explain poor patient survival after surgical resection. If the smaller tumours are de novo lesions rather than metastases (as these data suggest), then current concepts regarding liver resection as a curative treatment modality for HCC may require reassessment.

  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • regenerative nodule
  • cirrhosis
  • DNA fingerprint
  • arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction
  • genomic heterogeneity

  • Abbreviations used in this paper

    AP-PCR
    arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction
    HBV
    hepatitis B virus
    HCC
    hepatocellular carcinoma
    MRN
    macroregenerative nodule
    RN
    regenerative nodule

    • https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.45.5.761

    Statistics from Altmetric.com

      Request Permissions

      If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

    • Abbreviations used in this paper

      AP-PCR
      arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction
      HBV
      hepatitis B virus
      HCC
      hepatocellular carcinoma
      MRN
      macroregenerative nodule
      RN
      regenerative nodule
      • View Full Text