DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF ALBUMIN GENE-EXPRESSION IN LIVER-TUMORS - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Management of a solitary liver mass necessitates reliable distinction between primary hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic lesions. The h istologic differentiation can be difficult even with special stains su ch as alpha-fetoprotein, cytokeratin, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Al bumin is a specific product of hepatocytes; and in situ hybridization to reveal albumin messenger RNA (mRNA) is highly specific and sensitiv e for the diagnosis of primary hepatacellular carcinoma, This techniqu e can be used on histopathologic specimens and in cytologic diagnosis. Herein we describe a patient with synchronous renal and hepatic masse s, in whom the distinction had to be made between metastatic renal cel l carcinoma and two separate primary tumors-one in the liver and one i n the kidney. In situ hybridization for albumin mRNA proved helpful in making this distinction. In addition, we review the literature on the diagnostic use of albumin gene expression in liver tumors.