[Liver metastases: incidence and histogenesis]

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Metastases are the most frequent malignant tumors affecting the liver.
• Analysis of 12,161 liver tissue cases from the Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne.
• 11.2% of cases presented with tumors or tumor-like masses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence and origin of liver tumors, focusing on metastases.
• To detail the types and frequencies of primary cancers metastasizing to the liver.
• To discuss diagnostic approaches including histology and immunohistochemistry.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of registered liver tissue cases.
• Classification of tumors and tumor-like masses.
• Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation for diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Liver metastases from solid tumors constituted the largest group (5.0%), followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (3.1%).
• Adenocarcinomas represented 65.5% of liver metastases, with colorectal cancer being the most common primary source (48.2%).
• Neuroendocrine carcinomas were the second most frequent type of liver metastasis (16%).

Conclusions:

• Metastatic disease is the predominant malignant tumor type in the liver.
• Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of liver adenocarcinoma metastases.
• Accurate diagnosis relies on comprehensive histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis.