Introduction

Abstract

This is a classification of tumours and tumour-like lesions of the liver. It is based primarily on the microscopic characteristics of the tumours, and is therefore concerned with morphologically identifiable cell types and histological patterns. The haematoxylin- and eosin-stained section remains the mainstay of morphological diagnosis, but special histochemical stains are often helpful and have been referred to in the explanatory notes. Readers interested in specific special stains mentioned in the text should consult Laboratory Methods in Histotechnology of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C., USA.¹ The results of immunohistochemical methods for identifying various tumour “markers” have also been noted whenever indicated.