This study wants to evaluate effusion cytology on routine smears in pateints with hepatocellular carcinoma. Filed smears from 106 patients with autpsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of malignant cells.
The results indicate that although the yield of hepatocellular carcinoma in effusion cytology iws limited, it may be important in the initial assessment of the disease, given the ineligibility of most patients for invasive procedures and the equivocal features of instrumental investigations. Immunocytochemistry may further assist in differentiating doubtful cases.
