A case of primary liver cancer showing combined hepatocellular and cho
langiocellular features and an associated pseudosarcomatous (schwannom
atous) component is presented. Histologically, compact microtrabecular
and glandular patterns in a dense fibrous stroma were recognized. The
latter showed transition towards spindle cell sarcomatous growth in s
everal areas of both the primary and the lymph-node metastasis. Glandu
lar areas expressed acidic mucins and AE1-reactive keratins; albumin m
RNA was detected by in situ hybridization in both trabecular and gland
ular areas. Vimentin and S-100 protein were mostly expressed in the ps
eudosarcomatous areas. Both the morphological patterns and the phenoty
pic features indicate that divergent differentiation along both epithe
lial and mesenchymal lineages took place in this rare primary liver tu
mor.