Imaging of multistep human hepatocarcinogenesis.

In Japan, there are approximately 32 000 deaths ( approximately 30 deaths per 100 000) per year due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is the third most common cancer in men and fifth in women. Approximately 90% of them are associated with chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis C or B virus infection. Therefore, it has become possible to detect small early stage HCC by the periodic screening in these high-risk patients group. During the screening imaging diagnosis of HCC, various kinds of hepatocellular nodules are also frequentlydetected. To characterize them is very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. For this purpose, it is necessary to understand the concept of multistep hepatocarcinogenesis and the sequential changes of imaging findings.