Abstract

Hepatoblastoma(HB) is a rare embryonic malignant tumor of the liver. Most morphological studies on HB have limited to the histological characteristics and only 3 cases of HB have been described in the cytology literature. We present 2 cases of HB occurring in children aged 1 year and 3 years, respectively. The distinctive cytologic features of fine needle aspiration of HB were clusters of tumor cells showing acinar and trabecular pattern, smaller tumor cells with a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and hyperchromatic nuclei having prominent nucleoli, and the presence of extramedullary hematopoiesis and osteoid material. These features were also found in the cell block and the biopsy specimen, and appeared very useful in the differentiation of HB from hepatocellular carcinoma.

• Keywords: Hepatoblastoma;Aspiration cytology;Hepatocellular carcinoma