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Primary hepatic choriocarcinoma--a case report
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mito Saiseikai General Hospital, 3-3-10 Futabadai, Mito, Ibaraki 311-4198, Japan.
Hepato-Gastroenterology
|May 31, 2001
Summary
A rare case of primary hepatic choriocarcinoma in a 65-year-old man presented with a massive liver tumor. This aggressive cancer led to fatal hemorrhage due to tumor rupture.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Choriocarcinoma is a rare germ cell tumor typically arising in the placenta.
- Primary hepatic choriocarcinoma is exceptionally rare, with limited documented cases.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old male presented with anorexia and abdominal enlargement, succumbing 45 days post-admission.
- Autopsy revealed a massive (6 kg) necrotic and hemorrhagic liver tumor composed of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells.
- The tumor invaded the stomach's antrum and showed vascular invasion.
Findings:
- Neoplastic cells tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and negative for alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen.
- Elevated serum alpha (51 ng/mL) and beta (820 ng/mL) hCG subunits were detected.
- Tumor rupture caused fatal hemoperitoneum.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of extragonadal choriocarcinoma, even in the liver.
- High hCG levels can be a crucial diagnostic marker for this rare malignancy.
- Early diagnosis and understanding of primary hepatic choriocarcinoma are vital for potential therapeutic strategies.