Abstract
Background & ObjectivePerineural invasion is an important biological feature of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA). We developed a whole-mount histologic large sections (WHLS) of the liver to evaluate peripheral nerve invasion (PNI) of HCCA.MethodsUsing sampling, fixation, dehydration, embedding, sectioning, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and scanning, the characteristics of intrahepatic and extrahepatic PNI in 20 patients with Bismuth type III and type IV HCCA were analyzed with WHLS. Correlation between the characteristics of nerve invasion and tumor size, vascular invasion (artery, portal vein), degree of differentiation, microvascular invasion (MVI), carbohydrate antigen19-9 (CA19-9), and differentiation degree of HCCA was statistically evaluated.ResultsThe WHLS of the liver was successfully established, which enabled us to observe intrahepatic and extrahepatic distribution of HCCA and whether surrounding tissues including nervous, blood, and lymph vessels were infiltrated. Extrahepatic and intrahepatic PNI were identified in 20 (100%) patients and 1 (5.0%) patient, respectively. Vessel density decreased in most invaded nerves presented by CD-34, which correlated with 100% of poorly differentiated and 83% of moderately differentiated tumors (P<0.008).ConclusionThis study established a WHLS of the liver that can be used for clinical diagnosis and research, and confirmed that extrahepatic PNI is prevalent, but intrahepatic nerve invasion is rare and does not accompany the invasion scope of bile ducts in types III and IV HCCA. In addition, moderately and poorly differentiated malignant tumors are more prone to PNI, independent of blood supply.
Highlights
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is the most common type of cholangiocarcinoma, and is characterized by high morbidity, high mortality rates, and poor prognosis [1–5]
We developed a whole-mount histologic large sections (WHLS) of the liver to evaluate peripheral nerve invasion (PNI) of HCCA
Using sampling, fixation, dehydration, embedding, sectioning, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and scanning, the characteristics of intrahepatic and extrahepatic PNI in 20 patients with Bismuth type III and type IV HCCA were analyzed with WHLS
Summary
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is the most common type of cholangiocarcinoma, and is characterized by high morbidity, high mortality rates, and poor prognosis [1–5]. The proportion of peripheral nerve invasion (PNI) in HCCA is around 38.8%-84.5% [6–10], and the overall survival rate of patients with PNI is significantly shorter than of those without PNI [11–13]. In types III and IV HCCA, the invasion scope in the perihilar region is significantly larger than that of types I and II, and the tumor invades further along the intrahepatic bile duct. A whole-mount histologic large sections (WHLS) technology for hepatectomy specimens larger than 10 cm × 10 cm is urgently needed to panoramically analyze the characteristics of nerve invasion in HCCA. Perineural invasion is an important biological feature of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA). We developed a whole-mount histologic large sections (WHLS) of the liver to evaluate peripheral nerve invasion (PNI) of HCCA
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
