Cystic Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Tumor

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can originate anywhere in the body, but primary hepatic NETs (PHNETs) are exceptionally rare.
• Most liver NETs are secondary (metastatic), making the diagnosis of a primary hepatic origin challenging.
• Accurate diagnosis of PHNET is difficult as it often mimics other hypervascular liver lesions.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old female presented with a large hepatic mass.
• The mass was atypical, predominantly composed of multiple cystic lesions within a solid mass, unlike typical PHNET presentations.
• This cystic presentation led to an initial misdiagnosis of hepatic mucinous cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma.

Findings:

• Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET) presenting with predominantly cystic features is extremely rare.
• The imaging and pathological characteristics of cystic PHNET are not well-documented.
• This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by unusual presentations of PHNET.

Implications:

• This case report expands the understanding of rare PHNET presentations.
• It emphasizes the need to consider PHNET in the differential diagnosis of atypical hepatic masses, especially those with cystic components.
• Awareness of such rare presentations can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management for rare liver tumors.