title: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the liver: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bile cytology from percutaneous transhepatic cholangio-drainage (PTCD) is a useful procedure in case of obstructive jaundice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated cytology via PTCD from a cystically dilated duct in a 56-year-old female with a long clinical history permitted a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The smears showed excessive benign-appearing squamous cells with or without a nucleus and a few keratinized- and nonkeratinized-type SCC cells. No adenocarcinoma-derived cells were identified. No focus of SCC was detected clinically. The resected hepatic specimen disclosed a keratinized-type SCC simultaneous with benign metaplastic squamous epithelium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case of cytology of primary SCC of the liver seems to be the first reported. Even when showing a great number of benign-appearing squamous cells, the possibility of malignancy should not be ruled out. Repeating the cytology from PTCD is effective for a diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinagawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tadokoro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komoriyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed