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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
[Hepatocellular carcinoma with cardiovascular invasion. Report of five cases]
José M Valera1, Roberto Merino, Patricio Palavecino
1Sección de Gastroenterología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
Insights
Hepatocellular carcinoma with cardiac invasion in cirrhotic patients is rare but deadly. Early detection and awareness are crucial for managing this severe complication in liver disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis is rising in cirrhotic patients due to advanced imaging.
- Therapeutic strategies for HCC are guided by tumor stage and liver function.
- Cardiac involvement in HCC signifies a poor prognosis.
Observation:
- We present five cases (three males, two females) with cirrhosis and HCC.
- All patients exhibited tumoral invasion of the inferior vena cava and right atrium.
- The patients' ages ranged from 59 to 79 years, with diverse cirrhosis etiologies.
Findings:
- Three patients died during hospitalization.
- Two patients were discharged for home-based conservative management.
- Tumoral invasion of the heart and major vessels is a critical, life-threatening HCC complication.
Implications:
- This rare but severe complication of HCC in cirrhosis warrants clinical consideration.
- Awareness of cardiac involvement is vital for prognostication and management planning.
- Further research into early detection and novel therapeutic approaches for advanced HCC with cardiac invasion is needed.
Abstract:
The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients has increased, mainly due to early detection using newer imaging techniques. The therapeutic approach depends on the tumor staging and the liver function. Cardiac involvement has a very bad prognosis. We report three males aged 59, 75 and 76 years and two females, aged 64 and 79 years. All had cirrhosis of diverse aetiologies with hepatocellular carcinoma and tumoral invasion of the inferior vena cava and right atrium. Three patients died during hospital stay and two were discharged for conservative management at home. This rare complication has to be considered in cirrhosis.
