Liver Pathology Update

Fibrolamellar carcinomas are positive for CD68.
Ross HM, Daniel HD, Vivekanandan P, Kannangai R, Yeh MM, Wu TT, Makhlouf HR, Torbenson M. Mod Pathol. 2011 Mar;24(3):390-5. (CUMC Full Text PDF)

This is one of a series of articles by Michael Torbenson's group on the subject of fibrolamellar HCC (see other links below). In this study, the authors demonstrate a generally strong CD68 expression in a granular or dot-like pattern in 31/32 FL-HCCs. CD68 was also expressed by a minority of conventional HCCs, especially those arising in non-cirrhotic livers (overall sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 80%).
(see also: Mod Pathol 2010;23(6):790-8; Mod Pathol 2008;21(6):670-5; Adv Anat Pathol 2007;14(3):217-23; Hum Pathol 2007;38(4):639-44).