摘要The DNA content of 12 small hepatocellular carcinomas (SHCC,<3 cm in diameter) and 26 large hepatocellular carcinomas (LHCC) was quantitatively determined by means of TV–image analysis. The results showed that 8 patients (66.7%) with SHCC had DNA stem lines in diploid (2C), and 24(92.3%) with LHCC had DNA stem lines in aneuploid (AN) (P<0.01). The incidences of tumor capsule breaking and cancerous thrombosis were 165 and 20% respectively in SHCC, significantly lower than 84% and 80% in LHCC (P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate was 75% in patients with SHCC after operation, much higher than 46.2% in patients with LHCC. No relations were found between DNA content, tumor size, pathological grading and serum AFP valurs of HCC. The results suggest that SHCC less than 3cm in diameter reflects the early changes of biological characteristics; HCC of 3 cm in size may be at an important period when the changes of DNA stem lines and biological characteristics would occur; SHCC is possible to be determined by steam AFP values; and that the survival rate of the patients can be further improved by early finding and treatment of SHCC less than 3cm in diameter.