Cutaneous seeding of hepatocellular carcinoma due to percutaneous ethanol injection and masquerading as a pyogenic granuloma

Dermatol Surg. 2004 Mar;30(3):438-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30120.x.

Abstract

Background: This investigation reports a 68-year-old man with a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosed 2 years previously who developed a single, easy-bleeding, pyogenic granuloma (PG)-like lesion on his right upper abdomen, located in the area of previous therapeutic percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for HCC treatment. The lesion developed 3 months after the injection. The tumor was found to be identical to his previous HCC.

Objective: To describe a case of cutaneous seeding of HCC during PEI presented as a PG-like lesion. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported in the literature.

Methods: This is a case report and review the literature.

Results: Immunostainings for alpha-fetoprotein and hepatocyte monoclonal antibody confirmed the diagnosis. Besides, the patient had no other metastatic lesion.

Conclusion: This tumor is believed to be caused by cutaneous seeding of HCC during PEI and is simulated clinically as a PG.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Granuloma, Pyogenic / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Seeding*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Ethanol