Primary clear cell carcinoma of liver--clinicopathologic features and surgical results of 18 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL) is a subgroup of hepatocellular carcinoma. At present, little is known about the relationship between the prognosis and the treatment of PCCCL. The purpose of the study was to analyze the clinical and pathological features, and to discuss the relationship between the prognosis and the surgical treatment of PCCCL.


METHODS
Eighteen cases with pathologically proved PCCCL between March 1999 and January 2003 were enrolled, the preoperative and intraoperative clinical features, pathological features and the follow-up data were analyzed.


RESULTS
Histological examinations showed PCCCL was characterized by large numbers of vacuolated clear cells. The differentiation degree ranged from grade 1 to 3, liver cirrhosis or/and chronic hepatitis was present in paratumorous tissues. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 76.5% (13/18) and 47.1% (8/18) respectively, and the median survival time was 23 months. The longest survival time was 97 months after surgery. Among the 13 cases with radical resection, nine cases had recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
The clear cells of PCCCL contain substantial quantities of glycogen and lipid. The clinical characteristics of the PCCCL are similar to those of conventional hepatocellular carcinoma. Surgical resection is an effective way to achieve favorable outcomes and even long-term survival of the patients with PCCCL.
Lao
Xiang-Ming
XM
Department of Hepatobilliary Disorders, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P R China. lao_xiangming@yahoo.com.cn
Zhang
Ya-Qi
YQ
Jin
Xiang
X
Lin
Xiao-Jun
XJ
Guo
Rong-Ping
RP
Li
Guo-Hui
GH
Li
Jin-Qing
JQ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged