Seven nuclear morphometric parameters in adenomatoid hyperplasia of the liver (AHL), compared with normal liver cells (NLC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), were analyzed quantitatively by measuring the area (AREA), perimeter (PERIM), maximum diameter (DMAX), minimum diameter (DMIN), the equivalent circle diameter (DCIRCLE), circularity shape factor (FCIRCLE) and shape factor (FSHAPE) using image analysis technology (IAT). HCC could be subclassified into two groups according to the variation degree of FCIRCLE. All of above seven parameters in AHL and HCC were statistically different from NLC; AREA, PERIM, DCIRCLE and FCIRCLE in AHL were different from HCC. The degree of nuclear atypism of AHL was intermediate between NLC and HCC. The results indicate that AHL is not part of normal hepatocytic population morphometrically, but is a group of abnormal liver cells with somewhat nuclear atypia. As AHL has almost the same Value of parameters related to both the nuclear geometry and shapes to those of HCC, especially group 1 of HCC, as well as its frequently malignant transformation, AHL should be considered as an important precancerous lesion of human HCC.

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