Hepatocellular carcinoma: pathology and liver biopsy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignant tumor of the liver. The diagnosis of HCC depends on the measurement of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels and imaging techniques. Liver biopsy is recommended in uncertain cases. We review the morphological characteristics of HCC and their differential diagnoses including other liver tumors and metastases. We further specify problems and pitfalls in the differential diagnosis and discuss limitations of liver biopsies in the diagnosis of HCC.