Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver disseminated to the peritoneum treated with liver transplantation and interferon alpha-2B

Transplantation. 2002 Jul 15;74(1):128-30. doi: 10.1097/00007890-200207150-00022.

Abstract

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare, low-grade, malignant neoplasm of vascular origin that may develop at different sites, such as in the soft tissue, lungs, or liver. We report the case of a 21-year-old female with primary EH of the liver treated by liver transplantation and review the available literature on EH. This patient developed symptomatic recurrence of the tumor in the pelvis 2 months posttransplant. Treatment with interferon alpha-2b resulted in substantial regression of the pelvic metastases and alleviation of symptoms, but the patient developed graft rejection and died of associated complications 16 months posttransplant. This report is the first showing the efficacy of interferon in this setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / drug therapy
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / secondary
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins