Clinico-cytopathological spectrum of hepatocellular carcinoma, its correlation with serum alpha-fetoprotein level, and hepatitis B and C viral markers.

Radhika, Nitin Shriniwas; Duseja, Ajay; Rajwanshi, Arwind; Gupta, Subhash Kumari; Sehgal, Shobha; Suri, Sudha; Chawla, Yogesh

Clinico-cytopathological spectrum of hepatocellular carcinoma, its correlation with serum alpha-fetoprotein level, and hepatitis B and C viral markers.

Date

2004-07-03

Authors

Radhika, Nitin Shriniwas

Duseja, Ajay

Rajwanshi, Arwind

Gupta, Subhash Kumari

Sehgal, Shobha

Suri, Sudha

Chawla, Yogesh

Abstract

Fine-needle aspirationbiopsy (FNAB) is now widely accepted as a diagnostic modality for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most common diagnostic problem in HCC is distinguishing it from a metastatic carcinoma. The literature from India on HCC is scanty. Hence, we studied the cytomorphological features of HCC and metastatic carcinoma. The study included 37 cases of space-occupying lesions (SOLs) of the liver as demonstrated by ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan. Cytomorphological features of these SOLs were analyzed in all subsequent to FNAB. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were determined in all the cases by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cytopathological diagnosis was HCC in 22 and metastatic carcinoma of the liver in 15. The individual cytomorphological features and which helped to make a definite diagnosis of HCC were: a high nuclear cytoplasmic ratio (81.8%), predominantly trabecular pattern (63.6%) and atypical naked nuclei (100%). Other features were prominent multiple nucleoli (63.3%), hyperchromasia (100%) and moderate anisonucleosis (59%). AFP was elevated in 81.8% of the cases with a mean of 634.8+812.7 ng/ml. HBsAg by ELISA was found to be positive in 72.7% of cases while only 1 case (4.5%) was positive for anti-HCV. In 1 case (4.5%), there was dual infection due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV. No viral cause was found in 18.3% of cases.

Citation

Radhika NS, Duseja A, Rajwanshi A, Gupta SK, Sehgal S, Suri S, Chawla Y. Clinico-cytopathological spectrum of hepatocellular carcinoma, its correlation with serum alpha-fetoprotein level, and hepatitis B and C viral markers. Tropical Gastroenterology. 2004 Jul-Sep; 25(3): 116-20