Sarcoidosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Acta Med Okayama. 2010 Dec;64(6):407-10. doi: 10.18926/AMO/41327.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous inflammation of unknown etiology, and seems to involve the liver parenchyma in most cases. However, sarcoidosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma is rare. We report here a case in which a hepatocellular carcinoma occurred within the liver, which was probably involved as a result of systemic sarcoidosis. A 57-year-old Japanese man had been followed up for 2 years because of diabetic nephropathy and sarcoidosis. On admission for pneumonia, imaging studies revealed an unexpected hepatic tumor. Histology revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by T-lymphocytic infiltration and marked granulomatous inflammation, which was surrounding some tumor nodules. The background liver parenchyma exhibited a moderate degree of fibrosis with granulomatous inflammation. The patient had no other apparent liver disease such as viral hepatitis, steatohepatitis, or primary biliary cirrhosis. Therefore, in the present case, sarcoidosis may be considered the probable background etiology for hepatocarcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoidosis / complications*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome