Primary Liver Tumours

Hepatocytic

  • more in dogs and cats
Gross
  • can be difficult to distinguish grossly from adenomas
  • usually one single large mass and additional smaller masses (intrahepatic metastases)
  • may have features of malignancy such as internal necrosis and haemorrhage
Microscopically
  • can be very variable appearing as sheets or cords of neoplastic cells
  • cells generally smaller with a higher nucleus to cytoplasmic ratio


Cholangiocellular - bile duct

  • more common than adenoma
  • reported in all species (mostly dogs and cats)
Gross
  • usually multiple whitish umbilicated nodules that are present diffusely throughout the liver
    • actually look as though they were secondary tumours
  • firm on cut surface
    • due to fibrosis
Microscopically
  • distinctly adenocarcinomatous
  • ductal and acinar proliferation in abundant fibrous tissue
  • sometimes papillary formations


Secondary Liver Tumours

  • from a variety of origins