Sigmoid colon metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma

Korean J Hepatol. 2010 Dec;16(4):397-400. doi: 10.3350/kjhep.2010.16.4.397.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem worldwide, and it has a poor prognosis. Extrahepatic metastasis from HCC is not unusual, with direct invasion representing the main spreading mode. Sites that are frequently involved are the lung, bone, and lymph nodes. There are few reports of HCC invading the distant gastrointestinal tract, especially hematogenously. Herein we report a case of sigmoid colon metastasis from HCC. The patient was diagnosed with HCC and treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Eighteen months after TACE the patient presented with abdominal pain on the left lower quadrant, and a CT scan showed an enhanced mass on the sigmoid colon. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that a tumor cell was positive for polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen and weakly positive for hepatocyte antigen, supporting the diagnosis of HCC metastasis. The patient underwent anterior resection for the metastatic HCC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / secondary*
  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen