Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver presenting as a hemorrhagic cystic tumor in an adult

• Published in: Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 657 - 660
• Main Authors: Cao, Ho Hyun, Kim, Jung Chul, Park, Eun Kyu, Hur, Young Hoe, Koh, Yang Seok, Cho, Choi Kyoon, Kim, Hyung Seok, Kim, Hyun Jong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Elsevier B.V 01.12.2011
• Subjects: adult; Biopsy; cyst; Cysts - diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; embryonal; embryonal sarcoma; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Hepatectomy; Humans; liver; liver neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms - diagnosis; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; neoplasms; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - diagnosis; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - surgery; Positron-Emission Tomography; sarcoma; Sarcoma - diagnosis; Sarcoma - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; liver neoplasms; cyst; embryonal sarcoma; adult
• ISSN: 1499-3872
• DOI: 10.1016/S1499-3872(11)60112-4

BACKGROUND:Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma (UES) of the liver is a rare,highly malignant neoplasm with a poor prognosis occurring almost exclusively in late childhood (6-10 years of age).Only a few cases have been reported in adults accounting for less than 1% of all primary liver neoplasms.METHODS:A 47-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass in the left upper abdomen.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 12×10 cm cystic mass with hemorrhage in the left lateral segment of the liver.The initial impression was a hemorrhagic cystic tumor of the liver.The patient underwent a left lateral sectionectomy of the liver.Histopathology and immunohistochemistry helped make a diagnosis of UES.RESULTS:The patient recovered uneventfully and received systemic chemotherapy.Radiologic examination for follow-up revealed a metastatic lesion in the lumbar spine (L5).She was subjected to radiotherapy at the lumbar spine.She survived 48 months.CONCLUSION:Although hepatic cyst as UES of the liver is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity in adults and lack of specific findings,it should be considered in a differential diagnosis.