Intracytoplasmic hyaline globules in hepatocellular carconomas.

Intracytoplasmic hyaline globules (IHG) were found in 16 out of 105 hepatocellular carcinomas (15.2%). In all cases, there was a male preponderance, most of the patients were Black, and the mean age was in the fifth decade. IHG were mostly noted in the better-differentiated tumors. Bile production was present in 12% of all tumors. Over 80% of tumors with globules showed necrosis as compared with 40% of the tumors without globules. Cirrhosis was present in almost half the cases, with liver cell dysplasia in 15%. These globules are possibly alpha-fetoprotein. Some of them may be giant lysosomes. Their role in carcinogenesis and prognosis is uncertain.