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Published on: June 11, 2019
Intra-atrial tumour thrombus secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma
Hetal Pandya1, Chaitri Shah, Jitendra Lakhani
1Professor, S.B.K.S. Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Insights
Hepatocellular carcinoma rarely invades the heart, forming a tumor thrombus in the right atrium. This case highlights a rare presentation of advanced liver cancer with extensive cardiac involvement but no cardiorespiratory symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer and a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- Hepatitis B and C infections are the leading risk factors for HCC development.
- Tumor thrombus extending into the heart from HCC is an exceptionally rare and severe complication.
Observation:
- A rare case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with an extensive tumor thrombus.
- The tumor thrombus was observed to extend into the right atrium of the heart.
- The patient presented with no signs of cardiorespiratory distress or cardiovascular compromise.
Findings:
- The extensive tumor thrombus in the right atrium represents a critical stage of HCC progression.
- The absence of overt cardiovascular symptoms in the presence of significant cardiac invasion is unusual.
- This presentation challenges typical prognostic expectations for such advanced HCC cases.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare presentations in diagnosing and managing advanced HCC.
- Further research may be needed to understand the mechanisms behind asymptomatic cardiac invasion in HCC.
- Improved diagnostic strategies and treatment approaches are crucial for patients with advanced HCC and cardiac involvement.
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Hepatitis B & C accounts for most HCC occurrences. It is very rare to see a tumour thrombus extending into the right atrium of the heart as a result of the invasion of HCC. This complication has a very poor prognosis as mean survival time is about three to four months. We encountered such a rare case of hepatocellular carcinoma having extensive tumour thrombus extending into the right atrium without any cardio respiratory distress or clinical finding suggestive of cardiovascular involvement.
