Primary hepatic carcinoid; a diagnostic dilemma: a case report
Zisis Touloumis1, Spiros G Delis, Charikleia Triantopoulou
1Liver Surgical Unit, First Department of Surgery, "Agia Olga" General Hospital, 3-5 Agias Olgas street, 14233 N, Ionia, Athens, Greece. chrisder@otenet.gr.
Cases Journal
|November 19, 2008
Summary
Primary hepatic carcinoid tumors are rare. This case highlights successful management of a functional, unresectable tumor using trans-catheter arterial embolization and lanreotide, controlling symptoms and disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Primary hepatic carcinoid tumors (PHCTs) are exceptionally rare neuroendocrine neoplasms, with limited reported cases.
- Functional PHCTs, secreting hormones like 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), are even rarer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of a functional, unresectable primary hepatic carcinoid tumor.
- To illustrate a palliative treatment strategy for unresectable PHCTs.
Main Methods:
- A case of a 65-year-old female with a large, unresectable PHCT secreting 5-HIAA.
- Treatment involved trans-catheter arterial embolization (TACE) and lanreotide (a long-acting somatostatin analogue).
Main Results:
- The patient presented with characteristic symptoms of flushing and diarrhea.
- The combination therapy effectively controlled the disease and alleviated patient symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Diagnosing PHCTs is challenging due to overlapping imaging features with other liver lesions.
- While surgical resection is optimal, TACE combined with somatostatin analogues offers good palliation for unresectable PHCTs.
