Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis in liver carcinoma: a rare case report and literature review

World J Surg Oncol. 2014 Mar 27:12:66. doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-12-66.

Abstract

Primary liver carcinoma is the most important malignant disease. The nodular metastatic foci of liver carcinoma are usually found in the lung, adrenal gland or abdomen after resection or transplantation. Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) accounts for approximately 6% to 8% of metastatic cancer in the lung. The occurrence of PLC is extremely rare in liver carcinoma. Herein we report the case of a patient with PLC after liver transplantation due to liver carcinoma. PLC was confirmed by clinical manifestations, imaging studies and cytologic examination of exfoliated cells in the pleural effusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lymphangitis / diagnosis*
  • Lymphangitis / drug therapy
  • Lymphangitis / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications*