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A "Patient-Like" Orthotopic Syngeneic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis
Published on: October 24, 2015
Adrenal metastasis as first presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma
Kostas Tsalis1, Emmanouil Zacharakis, Nikolaos Sapidis
14th Surgical Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G. Papanikolaou General Regional Hospital, Exohi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece. Ctsalis@med.auth.gr
Background:
Metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be found in the lung and adrenal gland. We report case of a patient who presented with adrenal metastasis as the first clinical manifestation of HCC.
Case Presentation:
A patient was referred for surgical treatment for a tumor in retro-peritoneal space. The computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a mass originating from the left adrenal gland. The patient underwent left adrenalectomy and the exploration of abdominal cavity did not reveal any other palpable lesions. Histologically, the resected lesion was a poorly differentiated metastatic tumor from HCC. Seven months later patient was readmitted complaining of cachexia, icterus, and significant weight loss. CT scan revealed hyperdense lesions of the liver.
Conclusion:
HCC may have atypical presentations like in present case. Fine needle aspiration/tru-cut biopsy might be useful in the investigation of an accidentally discovered adrenal mass regardless of the size and can lead to the detection of a primary tumor.
