HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER
Abstract
Aim: The liver is a vital organ that plays a central role in metabolism, detoxification, and biosynthesis, susceptible to a wide range of pathological insults. Hepatic lesions represent a diverse spectrum of disorders, encompassing inflammatory, metabolic, benign, and malignant conditions. The global burden of liver disease continues to rise, largely driven by chronic alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, and the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the histopathological spectrum of hepatic lesions encountered in a tertiary care hospital and to analyze their correlation with demographic trends in northern Karnataka region.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, KMCRI, Hubballi, over a period of one year, comprising of 42 liver specimens, including wedge resections and biopsies. Routine Hematoxylin and Eosin staining was supplemented with special stains [Masson’s trichrome, PAS, Reticulin] and Immunohistochemistry [HepPar-1, CK18, Glypican-3, DOG-1] when indicated. Data were analyzed for histopathological pattern, age, and sex distribution using Descriptive statistics.
Results: Among 42 cases, non-neoplastic lesions constituted 57%, predominantly chronic hepatitis [24%], fatty liver/NAFLD [17%], and cirrhosis [12%]. Neoplastic lesions accounted for 43%, with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC][29%] as the most frequent primary malignancy, followed by metastatic deposits [12%] and hepatoblastoma [2%]. A slight male predominance was observed [M: F = 1.1:1], whereas metabolic changes were more common in females. Special stains and immunohistochemistry aided in confirming diagnoses and characterizing fibrosis, glycogen accumulation, and cellular differentiation.
Conclusion: Chronic liver disease and fatty liver/NAFLD remain the leading non-neoplastic pathologies, while hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is the most prevalent malignancy. Histopathology remains indispensable for accurate diagnosis and classification of hepatic disease trends.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute, Hubballi
Project Number
72/2025
Ethical Statement
The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Institutional Ethics Committee. As this was a retrospective, record-based study with no direct patient involvement, a waiver of informed consent was obtained. Patient anonymity and confidentiality were strictly maintained throughout the study.
Thanks
The authors express their sincere gratitude to the Department of Pathology, Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute, Hubballi, for providing the necessary facilities and support to carry out this study.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Pathology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
June 24, 2026
Submission Date
December 13, 2025
Acceptance Date
June 10, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2
APA
Jassi, N., Deepika, D., & Joseph, D. (2026). HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 11(2), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683
AMA
1.Jassi N, Deepika D, Joseph D. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER. IJHSRP. 2026;11(2):123-132. doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683
Chicago
Jassi, Neha, Dr Deepika, and Dona Joseph. 2026. “HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11 (2): 123-32. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683.
EndNote
Jassi N, Deepika D, Joseph D (June 1, 2026) HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11 2 123–132.
IEEE
[1]N. Jassi, D. Deepika, and D. Joseph, “HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER”, IJHSRP, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 123–132, June 2026, doi: 10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683.
ISNAD
Jassi, Neha - Deepika, Dr - Joseph, Dona. “HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 123-132. https://doi.org/10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683.
JAMA
1.Jassi N, Deepika D, Joseph D. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER. IJHSRP. 2026;11:123–132.
MLA
Jassi, Neha, et al. “HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER”. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 123-32, doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683.
Vancouver
1.Neha Jassi, Dr Deepika, Dona Joseph. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF HEPATIC LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER. IJHSRP. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):123-32. doi:10.33457/ijhsrp.1841683
