Mixed Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatoblastoma: Cytohistopathologic Findings and Differential Diagnosis

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 80% of all the primary malignant tumors of the liver. Hepatoblastoma (HBL) is the most common primary malignant neoplasm of the liver in childhood, and extremely rare in adults. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an adult case with cytopathologic description of a combined HCC and HBL, occurring in a noncirrhotic liver. Case: A 24-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with right-sided abdominal pain. Masses in the liver were detected radiologically. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core-needle biopsy revealed a malignant hepatocellular tumor with features of both HCC and HBL. Conclusion: In the present case among the distinct HCC cell groups, areas of smaller and more primitive cells consistent with embryonal type HBL and some other groups of cells with intermediate morphology were observed. These findings suggested the probable single stem cell origin of the tumor with differentiation to both cell groups rather than a combination of two different tumors. Therefore, the term 'malignant hepatocellular tumor' could also be considered to define this particular tumor. This case provides support to the previous reports in which HBL areas are described in HCC. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Serum neopterin levels in children with hepatitis-B-related chronic liver disease and its relationship to disease severity

AIM: To evaluate serum neopterin levels and their correlations with liver function tests and histological grade in children with hepatitis-B-related chronic liver disease

Effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy in rats

Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite crystal. Cytoprotective effects of clinoptilolite have been reported. However, so far there are no data about the effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy. In this experimental study, the effects of clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy on oxidative stress were evaluated. There were four experimental groups (n = 8): Group S, the sham group, Group H, the hepatectomy group, Group HC, the clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy group, and Group CS, the clinoptilolite-treated sham group. A 70% partial hepatectomy was performed for Group H and HC. Clinoptilolite (5 mg/kg) was given to the rats orally (via gavage tube) twice a day for 10 days after hepatectomy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu-Zn super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed to evaluate oxidative stress. Plasma and liver tissue MDA levels of Group HC were significantly lower than the H group (p = 0.018 and p = 0.000, respectively). Liver tissue Cu-Zn SOD activity and GSH levels of Group HC were significantly higher than Group H (p = 0.003, p = 0.007, respectively). Clinoptilolite administration reduces oxidant activity and supports antioxidant response after partial hepatectomy