Hepatocellular carcinoma arising in a pigmented telangiectatic adenoma with nuclear β-catenin and glutamine synthetase positivity: case report and review of the literature

Am J Surg Pathol. 2011 Jun;35(6):927-32. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0b013e318218ca3f.

Abstract

Telangiectatic hepatocellular adenoma is a rare, recently recognized subtype of hepatocellular adenoma that is often underrecognized by pathologists. We report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma arising within a pigmented telangiectatic hepatocellular adenoma in a noncirrhotic man with diffuse glutamine synthetase and nuclear β-catenin positivity. This case highlights malignant transformation of telangiectatic adenomas, and describes a previously unreported association between pigment deposition and telangiectatic adenoma. Radiology, gross pathology, and histopathology are shown. Review of the literature with attention to β-catenin and glutamine synthetase staining, malignant transformation, patient characteristics, the presence of Dubin-Johnson-like pigment, and genetic characteristics of telangiectatic adenomas are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Liver Cell / metabolism
  • Adenoma, Liver Cell / pathology*
  • Adenoma, Liver Cell / surgery
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary
  • Pigmentation
  • Telangiectasis / metabolism
  • Telangiectasis / pathology*
  • Telangiectasis / surgery
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • beta Catenin
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase