Korean J Gastroenterol.  2025 Jan;85(1):89-92. 10.4166/kjg.2024.141.

A Case of Splenic Oligometastasis without Intrehepatic Recurrence Identified Six Years Following Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Affiliations
  • 1The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea


Figure

  • Fig. 1 Radiologic findings. (A) 3-phase contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography shows hypoenhancing mass within the spleen. (B) T1-weighted 3-phase contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging using Primovist® shows hypoenhancing mass within the spleen. (C) Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI): Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) and high b-value (B800) images demonstrate the characteristic restricted diffusion of the splenic lesion.

  • Fig. 2 Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) findings. Fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT scans showing high metabolic uptake in the spleen.

  • Fig. 3 Pathological and immunohistochemical findings. (A) Gross pathology of the spleen: The spleen exhibits nodular lesions with irregular borders, consistent with metastatic deposits. (B) Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining: Left—40× magnification shows tumor nodules infiltrating the splenic parenchyma. Right —400× magnification reveals characteristic trabecular architecture with malignant hepatocytes displaying nuclear pleomorphism. (C) Immunohistochemical staining: Positive α-fetoprotein (AFP, left) and Glypican-3 (right) staining confirm the diagnosis of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in the spleen.


Reference

1. Kaza RK, Azar S, Al-Hawary MM, Francis IR. 2010; Primary and secondary neoplasms of the spleen. Cancer Imaging. 10:173–182. DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2010.0026. PMID: 20713317. PMCID: PMC2943678.
2. Targe M, Yasam VR, Nagarkar R. 2021; Hepatocellular carcinoma with uncommon sites of metastasis: a rare case report. Egypt J Radiol Nucl Med. 52:228. DOI: 10.1186/s43055-021-00612-z.
Article
3. Iwaki K, Ohta M, Ishio T, et al. 2008; Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to spleen and small intestine. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 15:213–219. DOI: 10.1007/s00534-007-1230-9. PMID: 18392718.
Article
4. Chin K, Luk Y, Khoo J, Lui Y. 2017; Splenic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma with spleen rupture. Hong Kong J Radiol. 20:237–240.
Article
5. Hung DQ, Nhan NT, Nga TTP, et al. 2021; A rare case of atraumatic splenic rupture due to metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncologie. 23:603–608. DOI: 10.32604/oncologie.2021.019519.
Article
6. Duggal R, Garg M, Kalra N, Srinivasan R, Chawla Y. 2010; Spleen metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma: report of a case with diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology. Acta Cytol. 54(5 Suppl):783–786.
7. Filik L, Biyikoğlu I, Akdoğan M, Oğuz D, Köklü S, Köksal AS. 2003; Two cases with hepatocellular carcinoma and spleen metastasis. Turk J Gastroenterol. 14:138–140.
8. Hayashi H, Tanaka S, Shuto T, et al. 2006; Splenic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Osaka City Med J. 52:79–82.
9. Can G, Ünsal G, Küçükarda A, et al. 2015; Advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple splenic metastasis. Abant Med J. 4:402–403. DOI: 10.5505/abantmedj.2015.49091.
Article
10. Katoh M, Takeuchi K, Murashima N, et al. 1994; Hepatocellular carcinoma with splenic metastasis developing after 16 years of chemotherapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia: a case report. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 24:111–115.
11. Lee HA, Lee YS, Kim BK, et al. 2021; Change in the recurrence pattern and predictors over time after complete cure of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut Liver. 15:420–429. DOI: 10.5009/gnl20101. PMID: 32839362. PMCID: PMC8129665.
Article
12. Xu XF, Xing H, Han J, et al. 2019; Risk factors, patterns, and outcomes of late recurrence after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study from China. JAMA Surg. 154:209–217. DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.4334. PMID: 30422241. PMCID: PMC6439634.
Article
13. Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA) and National Cancer Center (NCC) Korea. 2022; 2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Mol Hepatol. 28:583–705. DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0294. PMID: 36263666. PMCID: PMC9597235.
Full Text Links
  • KJG
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2025 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr