Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor

Acta Pathol Jpn. 1993 Dec;43(12):783-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1993.tb02567.x.

Abstract

A case of primary carcinoid tumor arising in the liver of a 69 year old woman with no endocrine symptoms is reported. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed initially as a hepatocellular carcinoma in the biopsy specimen, and was shown subsequently to be a carcinoid tumor, demonstrating diffuse positive staining with Grimelius method. Mucin stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian-blue, and mucicarmine, and was shown partially in the glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells stained positively for chromogranin-A, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense core granules, measuring 40-120 nm in diameter in some of the tumor cells. Intensive and careful searches pre- and post-operatively revealed no other primary source of tumor other than the liver. The patient was reported well with no symptoms 3 1/2 years after the operation. This case is considered to be a primary hepatic carcinoid tumor. The recent literature is reviewed, and the possible histogenesis of hepatic carcinoid tumor is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoid Tumor / chemistry
  • Carcinoid Tumor / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Microscopy, Electron