Undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver in a 21-year-old woman: case report

A successful surgical case of malignant undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver (USL), a rare tumor normally found in children, is reported. The patient was a 21-year-old woman, complaining of epigastric pain and abdominal fullness. Chemical analyses of the blood and urine and complete blood counts revealed no significant changes, and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were within normal limits. A physical examination demonstrated a film, slightly tender lesion at the liver's edge palpable 10 cm below the xiphoid process. CT scan and ultrasonography showed an oval mass, confined to the left lobe of the liver, which proved to be hypovascular on angiography. At laparotomy, a large, 18 x 15 x 13 cm tumor, found in the left hepatic lobe was resected. The lesion was dark red in color, encapsulated, smooth surfaced and of an elastic firm consistency. No metastasis was apparent. Histological examination resulted in a diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver. Three courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, including adriamycin, cis-diaminodichloroplatinum, vincristine and dacarbazine were administered following the surgery with no serious adverse effects. The patient remains well with no evidence of recurrence 12 months after her operation.