Tumor Thrombus of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Direct Extension From the Liver to the Right Atrium

Cureus. 2024 Feb 28;16(2):e55158. doi: 10.7759/cureus.55158. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very aggressive type of cancer and can either invade or spread distantly through the portal vein to the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the right atrium (RA). The presentation varies based on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. Liver transplantation or surgical resection is the ideal management of small lesions without metastases, while systemic therapy can help in extensive cases to decrease the tumor burden to allow surgical resection of the tumor. We present a rare case of HCC with a tumor thrombus (TT) extending to the RA. Unfortunately, the patient did not survive the cancer. We hope that this case report can contribute to saving the lives of future patients with HCC.

Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc); ivc thrombus; milan criteria; radio-embolization; right atrium tumor thrombus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports