Korean J Radiol.  2015 Feb;16(1):50-68. 10.3348/kjr.2015.16.1.50.

Cancer Stem Cells in Primary Liver Cancers: Pathological Concepts and Imaging Findings

• Joo I
• Kim H
• Lee JM

• KMID: 2069984
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2015.16.1.50

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an integral role in the initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis and the maintaining of tumor growth. Liver CSCs derived from hepatic stem/progenitor cells have the potential to differentiate into either hepatocytes or cholangiocytes. Primary liver cancers originating from CSCs constitute a heterogeneous histopathologic spectrum, including hepatocellular carcinoma, combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with various radiologic manifestations. In this article, we reviewed the recent concepts of CSCs in the development of primary liver cancers, focusing on their pathological and radiological findings. Awareness of the pathological concepts and imaging findings of primary liver cancers with features of CSCs is critical for accurate diagnosis, prediction of outcome, and appropriate treatment options for patients.

Keyword

Liver cancer; Cancer stem cell; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Cholangiocarcinoma; Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma

MeSH Terms

Bile Duct Neoplasms/pathology/radiography
Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology/radiography
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology/radiography
Cholangiocarcinoma/pathology/radiography
Humans
Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neoplastic Stem Cells/*pathology/radiography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed