[Clinical symptomatology and radiological aspects of primary cancers of the liver].

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant tumor derived from hepatocytes. It is the most frequent of primary liver cancers. In 90% of the cases, it occurs in a cirrhotic liver and is now more and more detected by ultrasonographic screening of cirrhotic patients. Hepatocellular carcinoma can also be diagnosed at a more advanced stage, when complications, such as ascites, jaundice or digestive hemorrhage, occur. CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging are useful to confirm ultrasonographic findings, but angiography with infusion of Lipiodol in hepatic artery followed by CT scan remains the most sensitive method for diagnosis. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is derived from intrahepatic bile duct cells and does not occur in a preexisting cirrhotic liver. Diagnosis is usually late. Clinical features are those of hepatic malignancy with jaundice and abdominal pain. Morphological examination of the liver shows an intrahepatic tumor, sometimes associated with a dilatation of the surrounding bile ducts. Other primary malignancies are very rare. Fibrolamellar carcinoma presents as an abdominal mass occurring in a young adult with a non cirrhotic liver. Prognosis is better than that of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cystadenocarcinoma is a cystic tumor of bile ducts that can develop in a preexisting cystadenoma. Angiosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor derived from sinusoidal endothelial cells. Exposure to various carcinogens is found in 30% of the cases. Epithelioid hemangio-endothelioma differs from angiosarcoma by its occurrence in young adults and a more favorable prognosis.