CYTOPATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF HEPATIC EPITHELIOID HEMANGIOENDOTHELIOMA

We present the cytological features of hepatic epithelioid hemangioend othelioma (EH), which is considered to be a vascular proliferation of intermediate malignant potential. The case report concerns a 52-yr-old previously healthy man discovered to have multiple hepatic masses upo n evaluation for abnormal liver function tests. Fine-needle aspiration demonstrated a neoplasm composed of interanastomosing epithelioid cel ls that contained intracytoplasmic lumens. Histologic section, immunoh istochemistry, and ultrastructural evaluation were confirmatory. Altho ugh hepatic EH is a rare tumor, its characteristic cytological, histol ogical, and ultrastructural features permit a straightforward diagnosi s. It is important to distinguish this entity from adenocarcinoma and angiosarcoma because long-term disease-free survival is possible, espe cially in the setting of orthotopic lever transplantation. (C) 1997 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.