Cancer Science & Therapy

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosed in Bile Cytology: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Mariana Zaarour, Gael Roth, Pierre-Yves Eyraud, Nathalie Sturm and Diane Giovannini*

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy with a high mortality rate. The gold standard for making the diagnosis is liver biopsy. However, this technique can sometimes be risky and contraindicated. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a largely used therapeutic procedure in hepatobiliary malignancies in case of jaundice. The latter offers also an easy access to bile samples suitable for cytological examination. In addition to previously reported cases of HCC diagnosed by bile duct brushings, we are reporting the first case of endobiliary HCC diagnosed by bile aspiration. We emphasize this rare and non-invasive cytological technique presenting advantages such as cell block preparation and immunohistochemistry.