[Primary apudomas of the liver]

The literature data on primary liver apudomas with the discussion of their histogenesis, structure, endocrine activity and immunohistochemistry, 36 hepato- and cholangiocarcinomas are studied among which a group of poorly differentiated "atypical" tumours (9 cases) is distinguished. Large areas of endocrine-cell differentiation represented by solid, trabecular and alveolar structures consisting of small lymphocytoid cells or big cells with eosinophil cytoplasm and numerous sinusoid vessels were observed in these tumours. Cytoplasm of these cells contained argyrophylic granules in variable quantity. It is suggested that a certain part of primary liver apudomas is mistaking considered as poorly differentiated "atypical" hepato- or cholangiocarcinomas.