Heaptoid adenocarcinoma: a new clinicoathological entity and the hypotheses on carcinogenesis

摘要

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is reviewed in its clini- copathological and oncogenetic aspects. This variant of adenocarcinoma ahs been found to be an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing carincoma arising in extrahepatic organs, and it mimics hepatocellular carcinoma in tems of mor- phology and function. Vascular invasion, usually promi- nent, is often complicated by extensive liver metastases. A nent, is often complicated by extensive liver metastases. A prompt and accurate diagnosis of hepatioid adenocarcinoma is important because the prognosis is very poor compared with that of common types of adenocarcinoma.