Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver associated with metastases of pancreatic endocrine tumour: report of two autopsy cases.

Two autopsy cases with multiple hepatic metastases of pancreatic endocrine tumours and nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (NRH) are reported. The tumour cells were positive for glucagon, insulin, gastrin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunohistochemically and the serum gastrin was elevated in one case. In the other, tumour cells were positive for insulin. Controls failed to show NRH in the non-metastatic part of 35 autopsies of livers with multiple hepatic metastases. A combination of hepatotrophic hormonal factor(s) and disturbed hepatic circulation associated with hepatic metastases may be important in the development of NRH.