Karyometric analysis was performed with respect to anisonucleosis, nuclear deformity and DNA content in cases of liver cell dysplasia (LCD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Presence or absence of iron deposition in foci of LCD and HCC was also evaluated in siderotic livers. All LCDs showed marked anisonucleosis and marked increases in DNA content but slight increases in nuclear deformity. A tendency was noted in which the nuclear deformity was increased as the nuclei became larger. In contrast, HCCs showed wide ranges of anisonucleosis, nuclear deformity and DNA content. Hepatocellular carcinomas having marked anisonucleosis similar to that of LCD showed markedly increased nuclear deformity. However, unlike LCD, this increase was independent of their nuclear size. In the siderotic livers iron deposition was noted in the foci of LCD but not in the foci of HCC. These findings do not support the notion of LCD being precancerous.