Related Experiment Videos
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the liver: a case report
T Shinagawa1, M Tadokoro, M Takagi
1Department of Pathology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
Background:
Bile cytology from percutaneous transhepatic cholangio-drainage (PTCD) is a useful procedure in case of obstructive jaundice.
Case:
Repeated cytology via PTCD from a cystically dilated duct in a 56-year-old female with a long clinical history permitted a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The smears showed excessive benign-appearing squamous cells with or without a nucleus and a few keratinized- and nonkeratinized-type SCC cells. No adenocarcinoma-derived cells were identified. No focus of SCC was detected clinically. The resected hepatic specimen disclosed a keratinized-type SCC simultaneous with benign metaplastic squamous epithelium.
Conclusion:
This case of cytology of primary SCC of the liver seems to be the first reported. Even when showing a great number of benign-appearing squamous cells, the possibility of malignancy should not be ruled out. Repeating the cytology from PTCD is effective for a diagnosis.