2001 Volume 40 Issue 6 Pages 571-574
Objective: We evaluated the usefulness of the CD 34 antibody in cytological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and benign hepatocytic lesions.
Study design: We studied 38 scrape cytological specimens of liver disease, consisting of chronic hepatitis (4), liver cirrhosis (5), focal nodular hyperplasia (2), HCC (6 well diff., 7 moderately diff., 10 poorly diff., 4 undiff.). Specimens were examined uing ABC immunocytochemistry.
Results: All HCC cases were positive for the CD 34 antibody in sinusoidal endothelial cells of tumor nests (100%: 27/27). Fine sinusoidal capillary vessels were positive for CD 34 in well diff. HCC, while thick or and peripheral vessels were positive in moderately diff., poorly diff. and undiff.
Conclusion: We believe that the CD 34 antibody is useful in differential diagnosis of HCC from other liver diseases and the degree of HCC differentiation.
