Adult primary hepatic sarcomas

Abstract

Objective To discuss the clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment of the primary hepatic sarcomas. Methods The clinical data of 4 patients with primary hepatic sarcoma admitted to our hospital from January 1998 to December 2008 were viewed. Results There were 3 males and 1 female with age from 25 to 65 years. Abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss and mass were among the complains. All 4 cases were misdiagnosed as liver cyst, liver cancer and liver adenoma respectively, and final diagnosis was established only by laparotomy and pathology. They were malignant mesenchymoma, carcinosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma respectively. Till now, 3 cases were still alive (respectively 4, 56 and 84 months after surgery), 1 case died intraoperatively. One case recurred 5 years after the operation. Conclusions Primary liver sarcoma is difficult to diagnose. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemical examination remain the mainstay for final diagnosis. The prognosis is dependent on pathological type, differentiation, tumor invasion and metastasis. Key words: Sarcoma; Diagnosis; Therapy; Liver