Hcc-3 may have originated from a CD56+/CK19+/EpCAM+ microscopic nodule, and hcc-2 from a S100A4+/CK19−/CD56− microscopic nodule; the majority of the tumour mass (which was negative for CD56 and S100A4 but expressed EpCAM and CK19) generated hcc-1, the most aggressive of the three cell populations. The gene discussed is EPCAM; the disease is neoplasm.