Clear cell carcinoma of the liver: a case report

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents the 8th most frequent malignancy worldwide. The World Health Organization recognizes five histologic patterns and four cytologic variants of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clear cell carcinoma of the liver is a well-defined variant of hepatocellular carcinoma in which a large number of cells show clear cytoplasm that does not stain with hematoxylin and eosin. It can be confused with other clear-cell malignancies. A 52-year-old man presented with mild dyspeptic symptoms, right-sided upper abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, abdominal mass and jaundice symptoms for nearly six weeks. After diagnostic procedures, an ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy was performed. In microscopic examination, malignant cells with vacuolated foamy to clear cytoplasm and central and eccentric nuclei, tumor composed of solid mass and cords, and clear cells were observed, and hepatocellular carcinoma, clear cell variant, is diagnosed. We report this rare case of primary clear cell carcinoma in the cirrhotic liver. The case was discussed in detail regarding histological presentation, with particular attention to histopathologic differential diagnosis.