SALL4 is a marker of the embryonal subtype of hepatoblastoma

Aims SALL 4 is a marker of germ cell tumours. The aim of this study was to investigate SALL 4 expression in blastemal tumours, particularly in hepatoblastoma. Methods and results The study included 12 hepatoblastomas. Eight hepatoblastomas were pure epithelial tumours, and four were mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumours. The patients were nine males and three females with a mean age of 14.6 months. Immunohistochemistry was performed with an antibody against SALL 4, using an automated immunostainer. Seven of 12 hepatoblastomas showed nuclear staining only in the embryonal component. Fetal and mesenchymal components were negative. Conclusions SALL 4 is expressed in blastemal tumours, particularly in the embryonal subtype of hepatoblastoma. Pathologists need to be aware of such expression so that misdiagnosis can be avoided.