hepatoma (redirected from hepatomas)

hepatoma /hep·a·to·ma/ (hep″ah-to´mah)

1. a tumor of the liver.

2. hepatocellular carcinoma (malignant h.).

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hep·a·to·ma (hp-tm)

n. pl. hep·a·to·mas or hep·a·to·ma·ta (-m-t)

A usually malignant tumor occurring in the liver.

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hepatoma

[hep′ətō′mə] pl. hepatomas, hepatomata

Etymology: Gk, hēpar + oma, tumor

a primary malignant tumor of the liver, which is relatively rare in the United States, characterized by hepatomegaly, pain, hypoglycemia, weight loss, anorexia, and ascites, as well as elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, portal hypertension, and jaundice in the plasma. It occurs most commonly in the sixth decade, and its incidence is higher in African-Americans than in Caucasians. It occurs most frequently in association with hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver and in those parts of the world where the mycotoxin aflatoxin is found. It is treated with surgical resection when isolated to one lobe of the liver. The prognosis is poor. Chemotherapy and liver transplantation are used in some centers.

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hepatoma

any tumor of the liver, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (malignant hepatoma).

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hepatoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma, see there