- malignant h. SYN: hepatocellular carcinoma.
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hep·a·to·ma·tous -mət-əs adj
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n.
a malignant tumour of the liver, originating in mature liver cells. In Western countries it is rare in normal livers, but often develops in patients with cirrhosis, particularly after hepatitis B or C infection. In Africa and other tropical countries it is frequent, possible causes including fungi (see aflatoxin) and other ingested toxins. Hepatomas often synthesize alpha-fetoprotein, which circulates in the blood and is a useful indicator of these tumours.
The term hepatoma is often, though incorrectly, used to include malignant tumours arising in the bile duct (see cholangiocarcinoma).
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hep·a·to·ma (hep″ə-toґmə) 1. a tumor of the liver. 2. hepatocellular carcinoma.Medical dictionary. 2011.