Metastatic Brain Neuroendocrine Tumor Originating from the Liver

ABSTRACT

A 67-year-old male presented with left temporal hemianopsia and left hemiparesis. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image revealed a 4.5x3.5x5.0 cm rim-enhancing mass with central necrosis and associated edema located in the left occipital lobe. Of positron emission tomography and abdominal computed tomography, a 9-cm mass with poor enhancement was found in the right hepatic lobe. Craniotomy and right hemihepatectomy was performed. The resected specimen showed histological features and immunochemical staining consistent with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Four months later, the tumors recurred in the brain, liverand spinal cord. Palliative chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin led to complete remission of recurred lesions, but the patient died for pneumonia. This is the first case of a metastatic brain NET originating from the liver. If the metastatic NET of brain is suspicious, investigation for primary lesion should be considered including liver.