Ground-glass cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections representing ten cases of hepatocellular carcinoma showed many tumor cells with ground-glass cytoplasm identical to that found in hepatocytes containing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, the aldehyde fuchsin stain was negative, as were the were the immunoperoxisidase stains for HBsAg and core antigen (HBcAg). Electron microscopically, the ground-glass appearance corresponded to the presence of non-membrane-bound amorphous or fibrillar inclusions. Immunohistochemically, the ground-glass material reacted with antiserum to human fibrinogen, suggesting synthesis of this protein by the carcinoma cells. Although the ground-glass appearance in hepatocellular carcinomas may sometimes be associated with HBsAg, special stains or technics are necessary to confirm its presence.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002648:Child; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens