Open AccessChest wall metastasis from unknown primary site of hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Yil Sik Hyun,
Ho Soon Choi,
Jeong Hun Bae,
Dae Won Jun,
Hang Lak Lee,
Oh Young Lee,
Byung Chul Yoon,
Min Ho Lee,
Dong Hoo Lee,
Choon Suhk Kee,
Jung Ho Kang,
Moon Hyang Park
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v12.i13.2139
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , medicine , radiology , differential diagnosis , metastasis , carcinoma , abdominal wall , primary tumor , surgery , pathology , cancer
Previous reports of a solitary metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma have been rare. Because this tumor has a different treatment modality and prognosis, an accurate differential diagnosis is essential. Here we report a rare case of a solitary chest wall metastasis from unknown primary site of hepatocellular carcinoma. It involves a 51-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of a palpable left upper chest wall mass. The mass was resected and pathologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite our investigation, no evidence was found that indicated the primary origin of the hepatocellular carcinoma. Four months later, the patient was admitted again because of spinal cord compression at the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae. Emergent decompressive laminectomy was performed and microscopic features revealed the same pathology as the initial chest wall mass resected 4 months earlier. After one year, a follow-up abdominal computed tomography (CT) still revealed no evidence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.