Some cytologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma as seen in fine needle aspirates
Greene, C.A.; Suen, K.C.
Acta Cytologica 28(6): 713-718
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5547 PMID: 6095567 Document Number: 227469
Cytologic study of fine needle aspirates in 15 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma revealed the following cellular patterns in order of decreasing frequency: trabecular, acinar and anaplastic. The most useful cytologic criteria for the identification of hepatocellular carcinoma were the similarity of tumor cells to liver cells, the prominence of nucleoli and the frequent presence of a trabecular pattern. Our study showed that the cellular changes seen in aspirated material faithfully reflect the histologic alterations seen in tissue sections. Hence, familiarity with the histology of hepatocellular carcinoma is of tremendous value in the interpretation of cytologic material.