Addressing the question whether the above described aberrations in imprinting are specific for bona fide malignant proliferations and not associated with proliferation of hepatocytes per se DNA methylation patterns at the DLK1-MEG3 locus were analysed in hepatocellular adenoma (HCA, n = 10) and in focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH, n = 5) using quantitative pyrosequencing. The gene discussed is DLK1; the disease is hepatocellular adenoma.