PURPOSE: To assess by means of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging the growth rate of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that develops within macroregenerative nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial MR imaging was performed in five patients with six macroregenerative nodules that demonstrated a "nodule-within-nodule" pattern (small intranodular focus). The diameter and volume increases of the internal foci at different time intervals were estimated. Average doubling time (DT) was then calculated. RESULTS: The tiny foci within macroregenerative nodules exhibited rapid growth, with average DTs of 29 weeks for diameter and 9.5 weeks for volume. HCC was proved histopathologically in all five patients. CONCLUSION: HCC, which manifests initially as a small focus within a macroregenerative nodule, has the potential for rapid growth. This growth rate should be considered when plans are formulated for follow-up and/or treatment.
PURPOSE: To assess by means of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging the growth rate of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that develops within macroregenerative nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial MR imaging was performed in five patients with six macroregenerative nodules that demonstrated a "nodule-within-nodule" pattern (small intranodular focus). The diameter and volume increases of the internal foci at different time intervals were estimated. Average doubling time (DT) was then calculated. RESULTS: The tiny foci within macroregenerative nodules exhibited rapid growth, with average DTs of 29 weeks for diameter and 9.5 weeks for volume. HCC was proved histopathologically in all five patients. CONCLUSION: HCC, which manifests initially as a small focus within a macroregenerative nodule, has the potential for rapid growth. This growth rate should be considered when plans are formulated for follow-up and/or treatment.
Authors: Tim Joseph; David A McKenna; Antonio C Westphalen; Fergus V Coakley; Shoujun Zhao; Ying Lu; I-Chow Hsu; Mack Roach; John Kurhanewicz Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 2008-08-28 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: Mark A Feitelson; Helena M G P V Reis; N Lale Tufan; Bill Sun; Jingbo Pan; Zhaorui Lian Journal: Cancer Lett Date: 2009-02-06 Impact factor: 8.679
Authors: Jeffrey C Weinreb; Jeffrey D Blume; Fergus V Coakley; Thomas M Wheeler; Jean B Cormack; Christopher K Sotto; Haesun Cho; Akira Kawashima; Clare M Tempany-Afdhal; Katarzyna J Macura; Mark Rosen; Scott R Gerst; John Kurhanewicz Journal: Radiology Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 11.105