title: 'Neuroendocrine' differentiation in primary neoplasms of the liver.
abstract: Thirty primary liver neoplasms (16 hepatocellular, nine biliary, and five epithelioid haemangioendotheliomas) were studied for the expression of the general 'neuroendocrine' markers, neurone specific enolase (NSE) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). Grimelius silver staining for neurosecretory granules and immunostaining for S100 protein, HMB-45, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and calcitonin were also performed. Eleven of the 16 hepatocellular carcinomas stained positively for PGP 9.5, four for NSE, six for HMB-45, and two for S100 protein. Seven exhibited granular staining by the Grimelius method; eight showed immunostaining for VIP, and two for calcitonin. Three of the five haemangioendotheliomas demonstrated positive immunostaining for PGP 9.5, and two for NSE; of the nine biliary carcinomas, two showed staining for PGP 9.5 and NSE, and four contained cells staining with the Grimelius technique. Primary neoplasms of liver may show 'neuroendocrine' differentiation and this aspect of their phenotypic expression has to be considered before predicting the site of origin of a tumour in the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine, London, U.K.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sankey
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wightman
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Scheuer
mesh_terms: D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009479:Neuropeptides; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D002116:Calcitonin; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase