Glypican-3 Staining in Non-Neoplastic Liver in 2 Pediatric Cases: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall.

Abstract

Expression of glypican-3 is seen in a variety of malignant liver neoplasms, such as hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is generally not expressed in benign neoplasms and is therefore used as a reliable immunohistochemical marker for distinguishing benign from malignant liver neoplasms. Its expression can also be seen normally in the liver during embryonic development. It has not been described in non-neoplastic liver outside of embryonic development. We present 2 cases of glypican-3 positivity in the background non-neoplastic liver parenchyma of 2 pediatric patients with liver masses.