[A case of primary hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the spinal cord]

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies reported in Korean adult males. Hepatocellular carcinoma usually spreads to regional lymph nodes around porta hepatis via lymphatics and to distant metastasis via hematogenous spread. The lung is most common distant metastatic site, followed by the adrenal glands, local lymph nodes and bones. But metastasis to the spinal cord of hepatocellular carcinoma is very rare. Recently we experienced a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who had suffered from lower leg weakness for 10 days. The patient was proved to have hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the spinal cord. MRI showed an ovoid intracordal mass between the twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebra level. After emergency irradiation, the patient could recover.