Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of large hepatocellular carcinoma with undetectable or low serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein

doi:10.3748/wjg.v3.i2.64

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Jun 15, 1997 (publication date) through May 6, 2024

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World Journal of Gastroenterology

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1007-9327

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 15, 1997; 3(2): 64-66
Published online Jun 15, 1997. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v3.i2.64

Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of large hepatocellular carcinoma with undetectable or low serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein

Qi-Ming Wu, Ming-Hua Hu, Yun-Shan Tan

Qi-Ming Wu, Ming-Hua Hu, Yun-Shan Tan, Department of Pathology, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China

Qi-Ming Wu, female, born on May 5, 1963, in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, graduated from the Department of Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College. Technician in charge, having 5 papers published

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.

Supported by The National Science Foundation of China, No. 39160034.

Correspondence to: Dr. Qi-Ming Wu, Department of Pathology, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China.

Telephone: +86-791-8627217-2317

Received: September 22, 1996
Revised: January 31, 1997
Accepted: March 1, 1997
Published online: June 15, 1997

Abstract

AIM: To explore the pathomorphological characteristics of large hepatocellular carcinoma (LHCC) with low serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level.

METHODS: Specimens obtained from surgically resected LHCC with undetectable or low levels of serum AFP were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, and prepared as serial sections. Routine hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunohistochemical stains (LSAB method) were used to test for expression of AFP, alpha-1-antitrypsin, epithelial membrane antigen, and vimentin. Some characteristics of the histopathological changes and immunohistochemical reactions of the cancerous tissues were observed under the light microscope.

RESULTS: The majority of the cases (19/30) of LHCC with undetectable or low levels of serum AFP were of the clear-cell-type HCC, with 2 being positive for AFP expression at the periphery of the cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION: The clear cell is the morphological manifestation of disturbance in glycogen and/or lipid metabolism of hepatoma cells. Such changes might be one of the factors hindering the synthesis of AFP and resulting in negative or low level serum AFP of the patient.

Keywords: Liver neoplasms/pathology, Alpha fetoproteins/analysis, Immunohistochemistry