title: Clinicopathological features and management of hepatic vascular tumors. A 20-year experience in a Greek University Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the clinical features, diagnostic modalities, treatment options and pathological characteristics of various types of hepatic vascular tumors treated in our Institution over the last 20 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1991 to 2011, 761 cases of various hepatic lesions, benign and malignant, were surgically treated in our hospital. Among these, 56 (7.35%) hepatectomy specimens referred to vascular tumors. The records of these patients were retrieved and demographics , tumor characteristics, treatment, and actuarial survival were analyzed. The various therapeutic procedures, postoperative complications, follow-up data and the pre-and postoperative diagnostic difficulties were registered and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pathological examination showed: hepatic hemangiomas in 35 (62.5%) patients (80% females), hepatic angiosarcomas in 7 patients (12.5%; males 71.4%), hepatic epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas in 9 (16%; females 50%) and hepatic angiomyolipomas in 5 patients (9%; females 60%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular tumors of the liver comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, benign, malignant and of intermediate degree of malignant behavior. These lesions can create great diagnostic difficulties, pre- and postoperative considerations, but the correct pathological diagnosis and classification of vascular hepatic tumors are most of the times mandatory in order to choose the proper therapeutic actions.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theodosopoulos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dellaportas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsangkas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsangkas
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Psychogiou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yiallourou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polymeneas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kondi-Pafiti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D018323:Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009383:Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome