Hepatocellular Carcinoma - Pseudoglandular (Acinar) Pattern

The WHO describes several HCC histologic patterns, including trabecular (most common), acinar, solid, and scirrhous. Predominantly trabecular (sinusoidal) pattern HCC may also contain acinar (pseudoglandular) areas, as seen here. The tumor cells recapitulate native hepatocytes, with round to oval nuclei and abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. The pseudoglandular spaces may occur secondary to central trabecular necrosis, whereupon they contain protein, cellular debris, or macrophages. Note the nuclear pleomorphism and prominent endothelial cell wrapping around tumor cell nests and trabeculae.