Primary Hepatic Vascular Neoplasms and Hematologic Neoplasms Affecting Liver Vessels

Abstract

Apart from hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, Kupffer cells and stellate cells, the liver contains endothelial cells within the arterial, portal, sinusoids, and hepatic venous systems. These cells may give rise to various benign and malignant lesions of vascular origin. The spectrum of tumors stretches from very common ones such as hemangiomas to very rare neoplasms such as angiosarcomas. Despite a common vascular origin, clinical course, pathologic features, imaging appearance and prognosis of these neoplasms are highly variable and heterogeneous.All haematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms described in the 2017-WHO classification may infiltrate the liver during their course. Beside lymphomas and leukemias, some disorders like amyloidosis or systemic mastocytosis affect predominantly sinusoids or the venous beds and generate secondary vascular disorders.The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of primary vascular tumors most frequently observed in adult-livers. Pediatric tumors, especially infantile hemangioma will not be discussed herein. In the second part, hematologic neoplasms known for their propensity to affect liver vessels are detailed, focusing on pathological features in order to improve diagnosis when hepatic involvement by the hemopathy is the first manifestation of the disease. The chapter will focus on clinical presentation, imaging and pathology while the complex issues of treatment and prognosis will not be considered.