Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver--a case report with immunocytochemical observations.

A case of a primary sarcomatous tumour in the liver of an elderly female is reported. The tumour consisted of bundles of spindle cells focally in a storiform pattern, intermingled with bizarre giant cells. Immunocytochemically, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, keratin, desmin and type IV collagen could not be demonstrated. Most tumour cells, however, expressed vimentin, whereas a granular cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was shown in the giant cells. Ultrastructurally the tumour cells did not show any characteristics of epithelial derivation. The morphological and immunocytochemical data justify the conclusion that the tumour should be classified as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.