Metastatic Lymphoepithelioma-like Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Potential Diagnostic Pitfall and Demonstration of Pd-l1 Expression

Abstract: Lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma (LEL-HCC) is a rare primary hepatic neoplasm with female predominance and relatively good prognosis. We report a 73-year-old female with chronic hepatitis B who developed metastatic lesions 5 years after underwent resection for LEL-HCC. The metastatic lesions showed a spectrum of morphologic findings, which could be mistaken for other entities such as lymphoma, particularly in lesions with single-cell infiltrative pattern and abundant tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical study to confirm the origin of the neoplastic cells is important to make the diagnosis. We also highlighted the clinicopathologic correlation and potential therapeutic implication of programmed death ligand-1 expression in LEL-HCC.

Sarcopenia Predicts Reduced Survival in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma at First Diagnosis

Abstract: Background. Sarcopenia is a complication and independent risk factor for mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Aim. To assess the prevalence and influence of sarcopenia on overall survival in a cohort of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma managed in a tertiary center. Material and methods. Abdominal computed tomography of 92 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma cirrhotic patients, enrolled and followed from 2004 to 2014, were retrospectively studied with a software analyzing the cross-sectional areas of muscles at third lumbar vertebra level. Data was normalized for height, skeletal muscle index (SMI) calculated and presence of Sarcopenia measured. Sarcopenia was defined by SMI ≤ 41 cm2/m2 for women and ≤ 53 cm2/m2 for men with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25, and ≤ 43 cm2/m2 for men and women with BMI < 25, respectively. Results. Median age at diagnosis was 71.9 years (30.7-86.4) and BMI 24.7 (17.5-36.7), comparable in women 23.1, (17.5-36.7) and men 24.7 (18.4-36.7). A class of CHILD score and BCLC A prevailed (55.4% and 41.3%, respectively); metastatic disease was found in 12% of cases. Sarcopenia was present in 40.2% of cases, mostly in females (62.9%; p = 0.005). Mean overall survival was reduced in sarcopenic patients, 66 (95% CI 47 to 84) vs. 123 (95% CI 98 to 150) weeks (p = 0.001). At multivariate analysis, sarcopenia was a predictor of reduced overall survival, independent of age (p = 0.0027). Conclusions. This retrospective study shows high prevalence of sarcopenia among cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Presence of sarcopenia was identified as independent predictor of reduced overall survival. As easily measurable by CT, sarcopenia should be determined for prognostic purposes in this patient population.

Seguridad y eficacia de sorafenib como tratamiento de primera linea en hepatocarcinoma con enfermedad inoperable o metastásica / Safety and efficacy of sorafenib as first-line therapy in hepatocarcinoma with inoperable or metastatic disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: El presente informe expone la evaluación del medicamento Sorafenib 200mg respecto a su usao en pacientes con Hepatocarcinoma que no son tributarios de tratamiento quirúrgico ni embolización y que no han recibido tratamiento sistémico prveio. Aspectos Generales: El Carcinoma Hepatocelular (CHC), la forma principal de cáncer petático primario, es la sexta neoplasia más común y la tercera causa más frecuente de muerte debido a cáncer a nivel mundial. Los hombres tienen mayor probabilidad de desarrollar CHC que las mujeres. En regiones de alta incidencia, los hombres son afectados con una frecuencia de 2.1 a 5.7 veces más que las mujeres.Tecnología Sanitaria de Interés: Sorafenib: El Sorafenib es un inhibidor de la tirosina quinasa dependiente de múltiples receptores de membrana. Actúa mediante el bloqueo de actividades de las serina-treonina quinasas Raf-1 y B-Raf, y el receptor tirosina quinasa de los receptores del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (VEGF), consecuentement inhibiendo la proliferación de células tumorales y angiogénesis. METODOLOGIA: Bases de Datos y Buscadores: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura publicada sobre Sorafenib en el tratamiento de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) en las bases de datos: Medline y Tripdatabase. Adicionalmente, se realizaron búsquedas en entidades que realizan revisiones sistemáticas, evaluaciones de tecnologías sanitarias y guías de práctica clínica: The Cochrane Library, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) del reino Unido, National Guideline of Clearinghouse, y National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) de los Estados Unidos. RESULTADOS: Resultaron 208 estudios de la búsqueda inicial en todas las bases de datos. Se filtraron por estudios en humanos y se eliminaron duplicados, quedando 96. Se seleccionaron en base a título/resumen: 2 guías de práctica clínica, 6 revisiones sistemáticas/meta-análisis, 1 evaluación de tecnología y 4 artículos de 2 ensayos controlados aleatorizados. CONCLUSIÓN: La presente evaluación de tecnología encuentra que el sorafenib tiene evidencia que extiende la sobrevida global en comparación con el pacebo en pacientes CHC, mas no ha mostrado que mejora la calidad de vida y la sobrevida a progresión de síntomas. Esta evidencia proviene de básicamente dos ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, controlados, los cuales han servido de base también para la realización de diversos estudios meta-analíticos, evaluaciones de tecnología y recomendaciones de guías de práctica clínica internacionalmente reconocidas. Así, la eficacia del Sorafenib se ha mostrado en pacientes con características específicas: CHC avanzado BCLC estadio C, Child-Pugh A, ECOG 0-1, adecuada función hepática, hematológica y renal; y en los que las terapias quirúrgicas o locoregionales han fallado o no son opción. El Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación-IETSI aprueba temporalmente el uso de sorafenitb en pacientes hepatocarcinoma con enfermedad inoperable o metastásico, no triburario de quimiembolización y sin tratamiento sistémico previo. Debido a las limitaciones de la evidencia científica y a las características de los pacientes en quienes se ha probado el efecto del sorafenib, que pueden no ser representativos de los pacientes con CHC de EsSalud, y debido al hecho que su benefício es clinicamente modesto, se recomienda complementar esta evaluación con un análise de las características de los pacientes con CHC de EsSalud, y un estudio de costo-efectividad. Esta información, además de los datos de los pacientes que lo hayan recibido por el periodo de vigencia de este Dicatamen, será tomada en cuenta en la reevaluación de este medicamento para efectos de un nuevo dictamen al terminar la vigencia del presente Dictamen Preliminar.

Long-term follow-up after resection of thyroid metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver / Acompanhamento de longo prazo após a ressecção de metástases na tiroide de carcinoma hepatocelular em fígado cirrótico

Thyroid metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare, and has poor prognosis. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman seen at our clinic because of the occurrence of a slightly painful abdominal mass. At that time, alpha-fetoprotein concentration was very high, reaching 49,831.7 ng/mL. Abdominal ultrasound showed a heterogeneous mass in segment IV of the liver, which was diagnosed as HCC upon MRI. The patient underwent surgical resection and histological analysis of the specimen confirmed HCC. Metastases to the thyroid were detected 17 months after liver resection. Although the presence of metastases indicates advanced disease, thyroidectomy was performed, since no other distant metastases were detected. In fact, the patient is doing well 3 years after thyroidectomy and regular imaging exams showed no tumor recurrence. Current alpha-fetoprotein concentration is 8 ng/mL. In conclusion, thyroid metastasis from HCC is uncommon and short-term survival is expected. However, surgical resection should be encouraged, especially in the case of solitary metastases.

As metástases de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) em tiroide são raras e o prognóstico é ruim. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 62 anos de idade atendida em nossa clínica devido a uma massa abdominal levemente dolorida. Naquele momento, a concentração de alta-fetoproteína era muito alta, chegando a 49.831,7 ng/mL. O ultrassom de abdômen mostrou uma massa heterogênea no segmento IV do fígado, que foi diagnosticada como CHC por meio de ressonância magnética. A paciente foi submetida a uma ressecção cirúrgica, e a análise histológica do espécime confirmou o CHC. As metástases na tiroide foram detectadas 17 meses após a ressecção do fígado. Embora a presença de metástases indique doença avançada, a tiroidectomia foi feita porque não foram detectadas outras metástases distantes. De fato, três anos após a tiroidectomia, a paciente está bem e os exames de rotina mostraram não haver recorrência do tumor. A concentração atual de alfa-fetoproteína é de 8 ng/mL. Concluiu-se que as metástases de CHC em tiroide não são comuns e espera-se uma sobrevida curta. Entretanto, deve-se encorajar a ressecção cirúrgica, especialmente no caso de metástases solitárias.

A Case of Epidural Abscess Occurred after Liver Abscess Complicated by Transarterial Chemoembolization in a Patient with Metastatic Cancer to Liver / 대한소화기학회지

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most effective therapies for unresectable hepatocelluar carcinoma or metastatic hypervascular tumors. Abscess occurring in the other organs beside the liver after TACE is a complication that often occurs, sometimes potentially fatal. We report a case of spinal epidural abscess occurred after liver abscess complicated by TACE in a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the liver. A 67-year-old female underwent TACE first for the metastatic lesions to liver, with a history of pancreatoduodenectomy for the primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Four days after TACE, sudden high fever occurred, and liver abscess was found on abdominal CT. Two days later, back pain and radiating pain to the right leg occurred, and lumbar spine MRI showed spinal epidural abscess. After intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks and partial laminectomy, the patient recovered and was discharged without complications.

Encefalopatía hiperamoniémica y hepatocarcinoma fibrolamelar / Hyperammonemic encephalopathy and fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 22 años con hepatocarcinoma fibrolamelar agresivo, metastásico, de rápida evolución y con una rara forma de comienzo, como una encefalopatía hiperamoniémica. El hepatocarcinoma fibrolamelar es un tumor hepático raro, que se presenta en pacientes jóvenes, sin antecedentes de hepatopatía viral o cirrótica. Su etiología es desconocida, y tradicionalmente fue considerado como de mejor pronóstico que el carcinoma hepatocelular clásico.

We present the case of a young woman, 22 years old, with an aggressive form of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. She began with the signs and symptoms of a hyperammonemic encephalopathy, an uncommon form of presentation. Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare liver tumor, which affects young patients without previous liver disease. Its etiology is unknown, and it has been considered as a tumor with a better prognosis than the classic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Percutaneous interventional procedures in an era of liver transplantation / 대한간학회지

No abstract available.

Treatment and clinical outcome of needle-track seeding from hepatocellular carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Needle-track seeding is a rare but important complication of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound (US)-guided procedures in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined the frequency of needle-track seeding after US-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in order to determine the appropriate treatment for needle-track seeding and its clinical outcome. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in eight patients who experienced needle-track seeding from HCC after an US-guided procedure (FNAB, PEI, or PTBD) between January 1990 and July 2004. RESULTS: Seven (0.14%) of 5,092 patients who experienced needle-track seeding (2 after PEI, 4 after FNAB, and 1 after PTBD) during the study period and 1 other patient who experienced needle-track seeding recently were recruited for this study. Two of the eight patients underwent mass excision and the other six patients underwent en-bloc wide excision for the needle-track seeding. Tumors recurred in the needle-tracks in both patients who underwent mass excision but not in the six patients who underwent en-bloc wide excision. Mortality occurred in three patients who experienced the recurrence and progression of intrahepatic HCC. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of needle-track seeding after US-guided procedures in HCC was 0.14%. En-bloc wide excision seems to be the optimal treatment for minimizing the probability of tumor recurrence due to needle-track seeding.

Metástase orbitária como único achado em paciente com hepatocarcinoma: relato de caso / An unusual orbital metastatic lesion: the only finding in a case of hepatocellular carcinoma: case report

Metástases orbitárias de hepatocarcinoma (HCC) são raras. Os autores têm o objetivo de relatar o caso de um paciente que apresentou metástase orbitária como único achado de um HCC. Paciente masculino, 57 anos, apresentando massa em região temporal direita, associada à proptose, dor e hiperemia. Os exames de imagem revelaram volumosa massa em região temporal, estendendo-se para fossa temporal com destruição da parede orbitária e extensão intracraniana. A tomografia computadorizada de abdome demonstrou tumor primário no fígado. Foi realizada biópsia incisional através de uma orbitotomia anterior cujo estudo anátomo-patológico diagnosticou lesão metastática de hepatocarcinoma. O estudo imuno-histoquímico com marcador para CAM 5.2 e CEA foi positivo. A avaliação sistêmica não revelou outras lesões. O tumor evoluiu com rápido crescimento com óbito 15 meses após o diagnóstico. Metástases orbitárias do carcinoma hepatocelular são raras. Nosso caso foi relevante não só pela raridade desta lesão orbitária, como também pela ausência de outras lesões metastáticas e de sintomas sistêmicos.

Orbital metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma is rare. We report an unusual orbital metastatic lesion as the only finding in a case of hepatocellular carcinoma. A 57-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of orbital painful right orbital mass, associated with proptosis. Computed tomography of the orbits showed an orbital soft tissue mass leading to bone erosion and intracranial invasion. Computed tomography of the adbomen showed a focal perfusion abnormality in the left lobe of the liver. Incisional biopsy was performed and the histopathologic examination of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis. The patient died 15 months after the initial presentation. COMENTS: This is a rare case of orbital metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. There was no another metastatic lesion and the patient reported only ophthalmological symptoms.

Reseccionea hepáticas en el servicio de cirugía general del Hospital Privado: 13 años de experiencia resecciones hepátidas / Liver resection in hospital privado's general surgery department: 13- year experience liver resections

Las resecciones hepáticas constituyen el tratamiento de elección en las neoplasias hepáticas primárias y en algunos casos de tumores metastáticos, pero conllevan tasas significativas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia en cirurgías hepáticas. Material y método: Se incluyeron 40 paciente sometidos a hepatectomías en nuestra Institución desde diciembre de 1991 a diciembre de 2004. Los datos fueron recolectados en forma retrospectiva y analizados mediante método estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Los diagnósticos incluyeron enfermedades hepáticas primarias benignas (n=9, 22.5%) y malígnas (n=7, 17.5%) y enfermedades hepáticas metastásicas (n=24, 60%). Dentro de las metástasis, la más frecuente fue el adenocarcinoma de colon (n=7, 17.42%). El índice de complicaciones quirúrgicas inmediatas fue del 55% (n=22). Hubo 4 muertees peri-operatorias (10%) y la tasa promedio de estadía hospitalaria fue de 10,8 días. Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos demostraron que la indicación más frecuentes de resección hepática en nuestra experiencia es las metástasis de adenocarcinoma de colon y que los resultados observado en nuestra serie son comparables a los obtenidos por otras Instituciones a nivel mundial con similar flujo de pacientes.

Liver resection constitutes the treatment of choice in the liver primary neoplasms and some cases of metastatic tumors, but entail significant morbidity and mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in hepatic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 40 patients who underwent hepatectomies in our Institution from December 1991 through December 2004. The information was collected retrospectively and was analized descriptive and statistically. RESULTS: 40 patients underwent 40 hepatectomies. The diagnosis included primary benign hepatic disease (n= 9, 22.5%), primary hepatic malignancy (n= 7, 17.5%) and metastatic hepatic disease (n= 24, 60%). In the metastatic group, the most frecuent pathology was colonic adenocarcinoma (n= 17, 42%). There were 4 perioperatory deaths (10%) and the average hospitaly stay was 10.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: our data shows that the most frequent indication of hepatic resection in our experience was metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma as compared to the other Institutions with similar experience.

Severe hypoglycemia due to poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hypoglycemia is a well documented paraneoplastic syndrome of hepatoma. Hypoglycemia as sole presentation is very rare. We report a case of poorly differentiated hepatoma with multiple lung metastases presenting with recurrent hypoglycemic seizures as the only manifestation four months before the diagnosis of the tumour.

Hipertensión ventricular derecha severa secundaria a obstrucción metastásica por hepatocarcinoma / Severe right ventricular hypertension secondary to metastatic obstruction due to hepatocarcinoma

La hipertensión ventricular derecha es una entidad esperada en enfermedades cardiopulmonares. La obstrucción mecánica del tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho es una de ellas. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente masculino de 69 años de edad con historia de hepatocarcinoma previamente tratado, quien presentó hipertensión ventricular derecha por obstrucción metastásica única al ventrículo derecho. El comportamiento clínico es de un síndrome de hipertensión venosa sistémica. Los estudios no invasivos, como el ecocardiograma y la tomografía axial computarizada la delimitaron. No se demostró actividad neoplásica o metástasis en otros órganos. La neoformación intra-ventricular derecha fue corroborada mediante cardio-angiografía y la biopsia tumoral confirmó el diagnóstico.

Right ventricular hypertension (RVH) is an entity that could be expected in various cardiopulmonary diseases. Mechanical obstruction to the right ventricle outflow tract is a cause of RVH. We present the case of a 69 year-old male with a history of hepatocarcinoma previously treated. The developed RVH due to mechanical obstruction secondary to metastatic infiltration of the right ventricle. The clinical syndrome was characterized by systemic venous hypertension. Non-invasive studies, such as electrocardiogram and computed tomography scan limited the metastasis to the right ventricle; the diagnosis was confirmed by cardio-angiography and endocardial biopsy. The studies did not demonstrate neoplastic activity at any other level. (Arch Cardiol Mex 2005; 75: 170-177).

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Unusual Hematogeneous Metastasis to the Small and Large Intestines / 대한간학회지

No abstract available.

Brain metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma detected after liver transplantation

OBJETIVO: Relatar o caso de paciente com carcinoma hepatocelular submetido a transplante de fígado, que subseqüentemente manifestou recurrência tumoral em cérebro após o transplante. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Homem de 48 anos de idade, com cirrose hepática secundária à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C, com duas lesões focais hepáticas diagnosticadas como carcinoma hepatocelular pela citologia e histologia. Antes do transplante, foi submetido a tratamento coadjuvante com embolização da artéria hepática e injeção intra-tumoral de etanol. No terceiro mês pós-transplante, o paciente apresentou cefaléia, náuseas e vômitos, sem déficit neurológico focal. Tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética de crânio identificaram lesão expansiva hipervascular com sangramento interno. Avaliação da peça cirúrgica do transplante de fígado evidenciou invasão tumoral macroscópica da veia porta. CONCLUSÃO: A metástase cerebral de carcinoma hepatocelular após transplante de fígado pode ocorrer antes ou logo após a cirurgia. Pacientes, em lista para transplante de fígado, devem ser investigados para presença de metástase cerebral. Invasão vascular pode indicar disseminação tumoral hematogênica.

Revisión de modalidades no quirúrgicas del tratamiento del carcinoma hepatocelular / Revision of nonsurgical modalities of the treatment of the hepatocellular carcinoma

El carcinoma hepatocelular es una de las neoplasias más comunes en el mundo, con una sobrevida pobre que varía de un rango 2.5 ± 1.9 meses dependiendo del estadio de la enfermedad al momento del diagnostico y del tipo de tratamiento realizado. La resección quirúrgica completa es el único tratamiento que ha demostrado obtener el período mas prolongado de sobrevida a 5 años, desafortunadamente, muchos de los pacientes con hepatocarcinoma no son candidatos a resección quirúrgica por lo que ha surgido gran interés en las nuevas técnicas ablativas no resecantes ya que son mínimamente invasivas y han alterado el abordaje y la forma de tratar a muchos de los pacientes. El objetivo de este artículo fue revisar las nuevas técnicas no quirúrgicas, con énfasis en las Terapias con radionuclidos.

Extrahepatic Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to the Nasal Cavity Manifested as Massive Epistaxis: A Case Report / 대한간학회지

Extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not infrequently found during the later stage, regarding that the autopsy report described its prevalence to be up to 50%. The most frequent sites are known to be the abdominal lymph nodes, lung and bone. However, metastasis to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses has been seldom reported, and to out knowledge, there is no Korean report describing extrahepatic metastasis of HCC to these sites. Recently we experienced a case of extrahepatic metastasis of HCC to the nasal cavity in a 50 year-old man with massive epistaxis refractory to conservative treatment. He was found to have a mass of soft tissue attenuation occupying the right nasal cavity at CT, which was biopsy-proven as metastatic HCC. Epistaxis was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization.

A Case of Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma of the Ovary / 대한소화기학회지

Although advances in imaging technology have allowed for earlier detection of disease, hepatocellular carcinoma is usually asymptomatic and discovered at an advanced stage with metastasis. The most common sites of metastasis include lung, peritoneum, adrenal gland, and bone, but rarely, the nasal cavity, orbit, gallbladder, and ovary can be metastatic sites. We experienced a case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the ovary in a living patient. The differential diagnosis includes hepatoid yolk sac tumor of the ovary, primary or metastatic hepatoid carcinoma and primary or metastatic oxyphil cell tumor of the ovary. To the best of our knowledge, there have been eight cases of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the ovary in the English literature and only six cases discovered in living patients. This is the first report of a metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the ovary in Korea.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Metastasis to Gingival Mucosa / 대한간학회지

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common causes of death in Koreans. Most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are beyond the stage of curative resection at the time of diagnosis due to extrahepatic metastasis as well as wide distribution of tumor in the liver. The lung is the most common site of extrahepatic metastasis but metastasis to gingiva is very rare in hepatocellular carcinoma. We report a case hepatecellular carcinoma with gingival methststasis in a 59 year old male patient.

A Case of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Metastasis to The Spinal Cord / 대한간학회지

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies reported in Korean adult males. Hepatocellular carcinoma usually spreads to regional lymph nodes around porta hepatis via lymphatics and to distant metastasis via hematogenous spread. The lung is most common distant metastatic site, followed by the adrenal glands, local lymph nodes and bones. But metastasis to the spinal cord of hepatocellular carcinoma is very rare. Recently we experienced a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who had suffered from lower leg weakness for 10 days. The patient was proved to have hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the spinal cord. MRI showed an ovoid intracordal mass between the twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebra level. After emergency irradiation, the patient could recover.