Mitochondrial abnormalities in hepatocytes adjacent to fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

A light and electron microscopic study was undertaken on a surgical specimen of a hepatic fibrolamellar carcinoma with special emphasis on the mitochondrial changes in nontumor hepatocytes. The tumor, both light and electron microscopically, showed typical features for this special variant neoplasm. The nontumor liver maintained normal architecture with marked lymphoid hyperplasia and fibrosis in the portal regions in the vicinity of the tumor. No megamitochondria were appreciated under the light microscopic examination. The electron microscopic observation, however, revealed prominent morphological alterations of individual mitochondrion. The dividing mitochondria were frequently found. Pseudoinclusions or invaginations of the membrane were common. Many mitochondria were enlarged with various shapes. The cristae were disordered and crystalloid material was easily observed. The possible significance of these mitochondrial abnormalities in nontumor hepatocytes was discussed.

Keywords

mitochondrial abnormalities / ultrastructure / nontumor liver / fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

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