[Primary manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma as osteolytic hand metastasis--a case report]

Osseous metastases to the hand are very rare. Only a single case of osseous metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the hand has been reported in the literature to date. We report a case of osteolytic metastasis of the right first metacarpal as first manifestation of unresectable, alpha-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (pT3, Nx, M1, UICC stage IVB, Okuda's stage I). The therapy consisted of R0-resection and hormonal therapy with tamoxifen 2 x 10 mg/d orally. Generally patients with metastatic cancer to the bones of the hand have a very poor prognosis.