Minimal deviation hepatoma. A new entity.

The term minimal deviation hepatoma has been applied to a specific clinical, pathological, and angiographic entity. It is a tumor, composed of atypical cells, which is neither frankly malignant nor so well organized as a benigh tumor. This lesion occurs in females with otherwise normal livers and has a relatively benign course, although life threatening hemorrhage may occur. The diagnosis may be strongly suggested in the presence of hypervascularl or hypovascular discrete masses without evidence of frank malignancy, with a defect in the colloid liver scan and with normal liver function tests. Surgical resection when possible and aggressive chemotherapy may be corrective in many cases.