Liver Pathology Flashcards
What is the most common primary malignancy of hepatocytes?
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
Why is incidence of hepatocellular rising in western countries?
- HCV and metabolic syndrome
What are some important underlying factors of hepatocellular carcinoma?
- Alpha1 AT
- Hemochromatosis
- NAFLD/metabolic syndrome
- Wilson disease
- Precursor lesions (adenomas)
How can a fungus cause hepatocellular carcinoma?
- Aflatoxins which are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi (aspergillus) that are found on agricultural crops
What is most often seen with HCCs?
- Chronic liver disease with cirrhosis
What is a distinctive variant of HCC?
- Fibrolamellar carcinoma
What is fibrolamellar carcinoma?
- 85% occur under the age of 35 years and without gender predilection or identifiable predisposing conditions.
- Usually presents as single large, hard “scirrhous” tumor with fibrous bands coursing through it
What is the best treatment for HCC tumors in non-cirrhotic livers and cirrhotic livers with adequate function?
- Surgical resection when possible
What is done for unresectable tumors?
- Image-guided ablation with alcohol or radiofrequency waves
Where does HCC metastasize?
- Hematogenous metastases, especially to the lung
Why are outcomes in HCC poor?
- Due to underlying liver disease and the intrinsic resistance of HCC to conventional chemotherapy
What type if virus is Hep A?
- ssRNA
What is the route of transmission for Hep A?
- Fecal-Oral (contaminated food or water)
What is the mean incubation period for Hep A?
- 2-6 weeks
What is the frequency of chronic liver disease in Hep A?
- Never
How is the diagnosis made in Hep A?
- Serum IgM antibodies
What type of virus is Hep B?
- Partially dsDNA
What is the route of transmission of Hep B?
- Parental, sexual contact, perinatal
What is the mean incubation period for Hep B?
- 2-26 weeks
What is the frequency of chronic liver disease in Hep B?
- 5-10%
How is the diagnosis made in Hep B?
- HBsAg
- HBcAg antibodies
- PCR for HBV DNA
What type of virus is Hep C?
- ssRNA
What is the route of transmission of Hep C?
- Parenteral; intranasal cocaine use
What is the mean incubation period for Hep C?
- 4-26 weeks
What is the frequency of chronic liver disease in Hep C?
- > 80%
How is the diagnosis made in Hep C?
- ELISA for HCV antibodies
- PCR for HCV RNA
What are the symptoms of Hep A?
- Nonspecific
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Often jaundice
What are some extrahepatic manifestations of Hep A?
- Rash
- Arthralgia
- Immune complex mediated complications like leukocytoclastic vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, and cryoglobulinemia