Pigmented hepatocellular adenoma with β-catenin activation: case report and literature review

Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2016, Vol 15, Issue 4

Abstract

Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver tumors recently characterized into 4 different types according to genetic, pathological and clinical features. The prognosis is not well established yet and malignant transformation has been recently associated with β-catenin activation. We aimed to describe a case of a pigmented HCA with β-catenin nuclear expression and inflammatory features and to review the cases of pigmented HCAs in the literature. We report a case of a young female patient without contraceptive use, with a liver tumor diagnosis. Liver biopsy revealed diffuse expression of β-catenin and a partial hepatic resection was performed. The histologic analysis revealed a hepatocellular tumor composed of uniform trabeculae of hepatocytes and solid areas, the later with a significant amount of black pigment highlighted by Masson-Fontana stain. Immunohistochemistry showed co-expression of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A in the tumor. Literature review revealed that pigmented HCAs, previously reported as dark adenomas, are rare tumors. In HCAs, the presence of β-catenin activation should be searched for due to the higher risk of malignant transformation in hepatocarcinoma. We describe a pigmented HCA with β-catenin nuclear expression and inflammatory features being the fifth case reported so far.

Authors and Affiliations

Rosa Coelho, Regina Gonçalves, Fátima Carneiro, Margarida Fernandes, Joanne Lopes, Susana Guimarães, Guilherme Macedo

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP78607
  • DOI 10.5604/16652681.1203164
  • Views 142
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Rosa Coelho, Regina Gonçalves, Fátima Carneiro, Margarida Fernandes, Joanne Lopes, Susana Guimarães, Guilherme Macedo (2016). Pigmented hepatocellular adenoma with β-catenin activation: case report and literature review. Annals of Hepatology, 15(4), 598-603. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-78607