Histopathological Assessment of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Resection Specimens and its Correlation with Tumor Size and Grade

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To determine the histopathological assessment of microvascular invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Resection Specimens and its correlation with tumour size and grade. METHODOLOGY This retrospective cross-sectional study included the biopsy-proven Hepatocellular (HCC) case with microvascular invasion (MVI) noted in the resected specimens evaluated by two independent consultants Histopathologists. The exclusion criteria were; all patients below 18 years, unfixed autolyzed samples, and incomplete requisition-filled forms. Numerical data, i.e., patient age and tumour size, are presented as mean with standard deviation. Categorical variables, i.e., tumour size, grade, and presence or absence of MVI, were submitted as numbers with percentages. Continuous variables, i.e., tumour size and differentiation grade, were assessed using the Chi-square test. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTSMost patients, 34.4%, fall into the age group of 47-70. Most patients were males, 63.6%, and microvascular invasion was noted in 49.09% of cases. Most cases were of moderate to poorly differentiated tumours, 80.0%. MVI was statistically significant with the grade of the tumour. CONCLUSION Microvascular invasion is an important prognostic marker noted in a surgical resection specimen. Although the exact definition and risk stratification is unclear, survival studies have proven that MVI is associated with poor outcomes.