Abstract:

Background and Aims: Five percent of all cancers in patients are unknown primary carcinoma, and 33% of the patients with unknown primary carcinoma have liver metastasis. Thus, the histopathological diagnosis is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological data with liver metastasis retrospectively. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight patients (40 males, 18 females) with unknown liver mass who were hospitalized in Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Gastroenterology Department between January 2000 and August 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. The biopsy was taken by Tru-cut technique with 18G X 200mm-22mm needle guided by ultrasonography. The mean age of the 58 patients was 63.05 (32-86) years. Age, sex, histopathological/cytological diagnoses, and primary focus of the malignancy, if found, were evaluated. Results: The histopathological spectrum of liver metastasis included: 43 (72%) adenocarcinomas, 4 (6.8%) small cell carcinomas, 4 (6.8%) indifferent tumors, and 3 (5.2%) neuroendocrine tumors. Primary focus of malignancy was found in 43.1% of patients as: 60% colon, 16% pancreas and 12% stomach and gallbladder. Conclusions: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of liver metastasis is a method used in determining histopathology.

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