title: Unique vascular tumor primary arising in the liver and exhibiting histopathological features consistent with so-called polymorphous hemangioendothelioma.
abstract: Reported herein is an unusual vascular tumor primary arising in the liver and exhibiting unique histopathological features. A 47-year-old woman underwent left hepatectomy because of a large hepatic mass. On histology the tumor had a composite pattern, consisting of angiomatous, retiform and solid areas, formed by oval to cuboidal to spindle cells, that expressed only endothelial markers (CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen). These findings led to the diagnosis of a low-grade vascular neoplasm with morphological features consistent with so-called polymorphous hemangioendothelioma. The tumor was completely resected. At 24 month follow up the patient was alive, without evidence of disease. Polymorphous hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular neoplasm, with borderline malignant potential, which usually occurs in lymph nodes and, rarely, at extranodal sites. Its classification as an entity has been questioned recently. The unusual morphological features of the present case, which do not fit neatly with any other recognized hemangioendothelioma subtype, indicate that the family of vascular tumors is broader than currently accepted. In addition the present case widens the spectrum of primary vascular tumors arising in the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pavia, Division of Hepato-Pancreatic Surgery, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cobianchi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucioni
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zonta
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiandrino
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alessiani
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doni
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Magrini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paulli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dionigi
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor