J Korean Radiol Soc.  1994 Apr;30(4):711-716.

Study about the Natural Growth Rate of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Follow-up CT Examinations(1):Preliminary Report

• Lee YW
• Chang JC

Abstract

PURPOSE
To make the guideline for diagnosis and treatment policy of various hepatocytic nodular lesions detected during the imaging diagnosis of cirrhotic liver and to get our own data about hepatocellular carcinoma based on Korean patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 40 confirmed hepatocellular carcinomas foilwed up with CT more than once without any treatment. Total numbers of follow-up were 50. First, we input the data of initial and follow-up diameter visible on CT images and follow-up interval of each mass to the computer, and got the mean growth rate curve and growth curve of hepatocelluiar carcinoma using a program of Quattro-pro, one of the spreadsheet. And then the doubling time was also calculated using Schwarz's formula.
RESULTS
According to the growth rate curve, the tumor under 3 cm in diameter showed relatively show growing pattern but the one above 3 cm in diameter showed rapid growing pattern. Mean growth curve also showed rapid turning point around 3 cm. Overall mean doubling time was 82 days(mean +/- SD = 82.3 +/- 56.2): 119 days in the tumors smaller than 30 mm in diameter, 69 days larger than 30 mm in diameter.
CONCLUSION
Hepatocellular carcinoma'is relatively slowly growing tumor and shows rapid increase of its growth rate when it is larger than 30 mm in diameter as a turning point. We think that this fact could make an important role to determine the treatment policy of various hepatocytic nodular lesions suspecting hepatocellular carcinoma.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies*
Humans
Liver
Retrospective Studies