AIM:To probe the pathological biological characteristics ofhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the ultrasound-guidedaspiration biopsy and assess the clinical application value ofthis method.METHODS:The biopsy and DNA analysis by flow cytometry(FCM) were taken in 46 cases with HCC nodules,including26 cases and 20 cases with nodules ≤3 cm and >3 cm indiameters respectively,and 12 cases with intrahepatic benignhyperplastic nodules.They were taken in 22 cases of 46cases with HCC before and after the therapy.Fine-needlesand automatic histological incised biopsy needles were used.The fresh biopsy tissue was produced into the single cellsuspension,which was sent for DNA detection and ratioanalysis of cell period.The ratio of each DNA period of cellproliferation of each group was calculated and comparedwith each other.The DNA aneuploid (AN) and apoptosiscell peak were observed and their percentages werecalculated.RESULTS:The ratios of S and G_2/M periods of DNA,whichreflect cell hyperproliferation,in the group with HCC tumors>3 cm in diameter were markedly higher than those of thegroup with HCC nodules ≤3 cm in diameter and the groupwith the benign hyperplastic nodules (P<0.01 except A:B ofS period,P<0.05).The ratios of the middle group were alsoapparently higher than those of the latter group (P<0.01).The ratio of DNA AN of 46 cases with HCC nodules was34.8 % (16/46).None of the cases with the intrahepatichyperplastic nodules appeared AN.The DNA AN appearedmore apparently with the growth of the tumors.The ANratio of the group with tumors >3 cm in diameter was 55 %(11/20),markedly higher than that of the group with tumors≤3 cm in diameter which was 19.2 % (5/26) (P<0.01).TheFCM DNA analysis of 22 specimens of hepatic carcinomatissue before therapy showed that the aneuploid peaksappeared in 5 cases (22.7 %).The ratio of G_1 period roseafter therapy while the S period and G_2/M ratios fell (P<0.01).The aneuploid peak disappeared in the 5 cases after thetherapy,while the apoptosis peaks in 12 cases (54.5 %)appeared.CONCLUSION:Addition to supply the information of thepathological morphology of the tumor,the ultrasound-guidedfine-needle aspiration tissue could be sent for FCM DNA analysis to comprehend its pathological biologicalcharacteristics.This can not only provide the clinic thereliable information about the occurrence,development,diagnosis,curative effect and prognosis of tumors but alsosupply biological information for clinic to choosetherapeutic schemes. AIM: To probe the pathological biological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsy and assess the clinical application value ofthis method. METHODS: The biopsy and DNA analysis by flow cytometry (FCM) were taken in 46 cases with HCC nodules, including 26 cases and 20 cases with nodules ≤3 cm and> 3 cm indiameters respectively, and 12 cases with intrahepatic benignhyperplastic nodules. They were taken in 22 cases of 46cases with HCC before and after the therapy. Fine-needles and automatic histological incised biopsy needles were used. The fresh biopsy tissue was produced into the single cellsuspension, which was sent for DNA detection and ratioanalysis of cell period. The ratio of each DNA period of cellproliferation of each group was calculated and comparedwith each other. The DNA aneuploid (AN) and The percentages of S and G_2 / M periods of DNA, whichreflect cell hyperprolifera tion, in the group with HCC tumors> 3 cm in diameter were markedly higher than those of the group with HCC nodules ≤ 3 cm in diameter and the group with the benign hyperplastic nodules (P <0.01 except A: B ofS period, P <0.05) The ratios of the middle group were also apparently higher than those of the latter group (P <0.01). The ratio of DNA AN of 46 cases with HCC nodules was 34.8% (16/46). Neutral of the cases with the intrahepatichyperplastic nodules had AN. DNA AN was more apparently with the growth of the tumors. The ANratio of the group with tumors> 3 cm in diameter was was 55% (11/20), markedly higher than that of the group with tumors ≤ 3 cm in The FCM DNA analysis of 22 specimens of hepatic carcinomatissue before therapy showed that the aneuploid peaks were found in 5 cases (22.7%). The ratio of G_1 period rose after therapy while the S period and G_2 / M ratios fell (P <0.01). The aneuploid peak disappeared in the 5 cases after the treatment, while the a poptosis peaks in 12 cases (54.5%) appeared. CONCLUSION: Addition to supply the information of the pathological morphology of the tumor, the ultrasound-guidedfine-needle aspiration tissue could be sent for FCM DNA analysis to comprehend its pathological biological characteristics. This can not only provide the clinic thereliable information about the occurrence, development, diagnosis, curative effect and prognosis of tumors but alsosupply biological information for clinic to choosetherapeutic schemes.