CP11-2&4 Hepatobiliary System and pancreas Flashcards
What cells make up the normal parenchyma of the liver?
Hepatocytes
what are the portal tracts?
Bile ducts
Blood vessels
Fibroblasts
Inflammatory cells
Where do primary tumours of the liver usually arise from?
Hepatocytes or bile ducts mostly but can affect other cells
What are adenomas of the liver cells?
A benign proliferation of the liver cells. May be multiple tumours.
What is the name for multiple adenomas?
Adenomatosis
What causes adenomas in liver cells?
Often exogenous steroids e.g. oral contraceptive pill and anabolic steroids
What is a complication of liver adenomas?
Can rupture causing haemoperitomeum - a surgical emergency
What are the two types of adenomas of the bile ducts?
Bile duct adenoma
Von meyenberg complex
What is the pathogenesis of adenomas in the bile ducts?
Benign proliferation of bile duct cells
How can you detect if a tumour in the bile duct is benign or malignant?
By doing a frozen section to look at microscopically
How do bile duct adenomas appear histologically?
With tiny white nodules
What are the two types of tumours of portal vessels?
Haemangioma
Focal nodular hyperplasia
What is a haemangioma?
A tumour affecting 1% of the population which is often incidentally found in liver imaging
What is a focal nodular hyperplasia?
What are hepatocellular carcinomas?
A malignant tumour of the liver arising from cirrhosis
What causes hepatocellular carcinomas?
Hep C and hep B (mainly in East)
Cirrhosis as a result of fatty liver disease or alcohol (mainly in west)
What are characteristics of a hepatocellular carcinoma?
What is a Cholangiocarcinoma?
A malignant tumour of bile duct cells which can be a result of chronic inflammation
What causes chronic inflammation leading to cholangiocarcinoma?
P.S.C
Liver fluke aka clonorchis sine sis)
What are the two subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma?
Central/hilar
Peripheral
What is the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma?
Poor as aggressive and difficult to resect - especially if at hilum of the liver
What is an angiosarcoma?
An aggressive malignant tumour of blood vessels
What are angiosarcomas associated with?
Toxins e.g. vinyl chloride (records) and thorotrast (contrast agent)
Are a majority of liver tumours primary or secondary?
Secondary
What are the commonest sites of origin for secondary tumours in the liver?
Lung
Breast
Colon
Pancreas
What is characteristic of secondary liver tumours?
Multiple whitish nodes that can be cystic or pitted and replace large volumes of liver before compromising function.
How can metastatic carcinomas of the liver be treated?
With surgery using clips to prevent haemorrhage and intra-operative ultrasound to guide resection.
What causes gall stones?
Cholesterol, bile salts, bacterial growth + calcification which slowly form a calculus.
What are risk factors for galls stones?
Female
Middle aged
Overweight
What percentage of gall stones are asymptomatic?
80%