Meyer YM, Beumer BR, Höppener DJ, et al. - According to this retrospective cohort study, hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in non-cirrhotic livers show histopathological growth patterns (HGPs) which may be of prognostic importance, particularly when combined with microvascular invasion (MVI).

• In 155 suitable individuals, the HGP was determined, with 55 (35%) having a desmoplastic HGP.

• MVI was found in 92 (59%) of the cases and was unrelated to HGP.

• Non-desmoplastic and MVI-positive patients had adjusted HRs of 1.61 and 3.22 for overall survival (OS) and 1.59 and 2.30 for disease-free survival, respectively, in multivariable analysis.

• Between HGP and MVI, there was an effect adjustment for OS.

• Patients who were non-desmoplastic MVI-positive had a 5-year OS of 36%, compared with 60% for desmoplastic patients regardless of MVI and 86% for non-desmoplastic MVI-negative patients.