Gross pathological types of liver cancer

The traditional pathological classification of liver cancer proposed by Eggle in 1901 is still in use today, which is divided into massive, nodular and diffuse types. Massive type: The tumor is huge and occupies most of the liver. It can be a single massive mass or multiple nodules fused together. Pseudocapsule may be formed. It is usually not accompanied by cirrhosis. Central necrosis and bleeding are prone to occur. It may cause complications such as tumor rupture and bleeding. Nodular type: The tumor is nodular and clearly demarcated from the surrounding liver tissue. It is often accompanied by more severe cirrhosis. It may invade the portal vein early to form a cancer thrombus and aggravate portal hypertension. Diffuse type: There are diffusely distributed cancer nodules throughout the liver, which are mostly grayish white and accompanied by cirrhosis. It is difficult to distinguish from cirrhotic nodules with the naked eye. This type is rare and has a very poor prognosis.

The Chinese Liver Cancer Collaborative Group proposed the following classification and used it in clinical practice:

Massive type: Tumors with a diameter of more than 5 cm and >10 cm are considered massive. They can be divided into single mass, fused mass, and multiple mass types, with clear or unclear boundaries and complete or incomplete pseudocapsules.

Nodular type: The maximum diameter of a single nodule or fused nodule tumor does not exceed 5 cm. It can be divided into single nodule, fused nodule, and multi-nodular type.

Small cancer type: The sum of the diameters of a single nodule or two adjacent cancer nodules is less than 3 cm. Patients are often asymptomatic. Diffuse type: Cancer nodules are diffusely distributed throughout the liver and are difficult to distinguish from cirrhosis nodules.