A rare histologic subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma, sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma: report of a case

Abstract

Worldwide, primary liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (SHC) is a rare subtype of HCC with conventional HCC admixed with areas with sarcomatoid morphology. SHC is an aggressive, rapidly growing tumor with unfavorable prognosis. Pedunculated SHC is an uncommon presentation of SHC. Due to its rarity, much remains unknown about the etiopathogenesis, molecular underpinnings, and treatment of SHC. We present a case of an exophytic SHC arising in a background of cirrhosis in an older adult. A resection was performed, but the patient subsequently developed multiple additional intrahepatic metastatic lesions necessitating further treatment with chemotherapy.

Keywords::

• hepatocellular carcinoma
• liver
• primary liver cancer
• sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.