Cytology of hepatocellular carcinoma

Twenty-five cases of cytologically and histologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were cytomorphologically analyzed using May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG)-stained aspiration smears and supplemented with special stains. The cell types were categorized as well differentiated (18 cases), vacuolated (four cases), giant cell (one case), and poorly differentiated (two cases). Glycogen staining was positive in 80% of the cases and hence served as a reliable parameter of diagnostic importance in HCC. Cytoplasmic hyaline bodies (14.6%) and bile pigment (17%), when present, were other important features supporting the diagnosis of HCC. Vacuolation of the cell cytoplasm (80%) was possibly related to glycogen accumulation. The cause of nuclear vacuolation (60%) and the significance of nuclear argyrophilia as markers of abnormal cell growth remain to be studied.