The significance of galectin-3 immunohistochemistry, clinical characteristics and liver imaging in differentiating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from adenocarcinoma liver metastasis.

OBJECTIVE

To identify differences of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) immunostaining, clinical profiles, and images in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) and adenocarcinoma liver metastasis, and be able to recognize these parameters as diagnostic tools for differentiating these two diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Histological slides from patients with IHC and adenocarcinoma liver metastasis were reviewed Immunohistochemical staining for Gal-3, Cytokeratin-7 (CK-7), and Cytokeratin-20 (CK-20) was performed and the results categorized. Moreover clinical characteristics and liver images of the patients were reviewed.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients were evaluated, 31 IHC and 51 adenocarcinoma liver metastasis. Patients who strongly expressed Gal-3 were positive for CK-7 and negative for CK-20. Finding showed that 86% of them were IHC whereas only 14% were in adenocarcinoma liver metastasis. All patients with liver images showing a single lesion, located at central site, and having intrahepatic duct dilatation were IHC. On the other hand, 77% of patients with liver imaging showing multiple liver masses, located at peripheral site and having no intrahepatic duct dilatation were adenocarcinoma liver metastasis while only 23% were in IHC.

CONCLUSION

Adding Gal-3 to CK-7 and CK-20 immunohistochemistry has benefits to differentiate IHC from adenocarcinoma liver metastasis. Furthermore, liver imaging profiles also give benefits for differentiating between these two diseases.