Carcinosarcoma of the liver: report of a case

Surg Today. 2014 Jun;44(6):1161-70. doi: 10.1007/s00595-013-0612-7. Epub 2013 May 5.

Abstract

A 64-year-old Japanese woman without a history of viral hepatitis was admitted for investigation of a huge liver mass. The tumor, measuring 14 × 12 × 22 cm, had invaded the diaphragm, right lung, and inferior vena cava. Serum examinations demonstrated high levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and the Child-Pugh score was A. She underwent right lobectomy of the liver and partial resection of the right diaphragm, right lung, and inferior vena cava. Radio- and chemotherapy were also given, but she died of recurrence 3 months after surgery. Microscopically, the tumor exhibited intermingled adenocarcinomatous and atypical mesenchymal components. The carcinomatous component was positive for cytokeratins 7, 19, and 20, chromogranin A, epithelial membrane antigen, c-KIT, and vimentin. The sarcomatous component was positive for vimentin and c-KIT. A review of 36 cases of hepatic carcinosarcoma revealed the following: chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis in 57 % of the patients; increased serum CA19-9 levels in 30 %; a mean tumor diameter of 10 cm; invasion of the adjacent organs or metastasis to distant organs in 47 %; wide intrahepatic infiltration in 44 %; and 50 % survival of only 5 months. Significant differences were seen according to tumor diameter (diameter >5 cm; p < 0.05), wide intrahepatic infiltration (p < 0.05), and extrahepatic invasion/metastasis (p < 0.01). Neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy contributed to prognosis, but surgical resection resulted in some improvement (p < 0.05).

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Carcinosarcoma / pathology*
  • Carcinosarcoma / surgery*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hepatectomy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary*
  • Pneumonectomy