[Atypical presentation of distant metastases from hepatocarcinoma]

Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Dec;28(10):626-8. doi: 10.1016/s0210-5705(05)71527-2.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Hepatocarcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary malignant hepatic tumour. These tumours usually develop in cirrhotic liver; for this reason, periodic screening using alphafetoprotein determination and abdominal ultrasonography is considered in cirrhotic patients with preserved hepatocellular function. This strategy allows early detection of HCC, increasing the proportion of curable tumours. The most frequent metastasic dissemination is portal vein neoplasic thrombosis, being unusual the occurrence of spread metastases in other organs. We present 3 cases of atypical HCC metastasis with non specific clinical manifestations which initial diagnosis was wrong. Because of a longer survival of these patients in recent years, spread metastasis might be considered in patients with known HCC and non specific symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Facial Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Facial Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Facial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Forehead / pathology*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Humans
  • Ilium / pathology*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / etiology
  • Lipoma / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteolysis / etiology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*