Analysis of the diagnosis and treatment of 24 cases of hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor

Abstract

Objective: To investigate hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) diagnosis and treatment plan. Methods: 24 cases diagnosed with PEComa clinical manifestations, serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), imaging findings, surgical methods, postoperative hospital stay, pathological results and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively from September 2015 to September 2020. Results: Majority of patients were females (79.2%), aged 41.5±11.4 years. Tumors were predominantly located in the right liver (50.0%). 76.7% of the cases were mostly clinically asymptomatic. AFP, CEA and CA199 indices were all negative. CT mostly showed low density tumor in the plain scan phase, enhanced in the enhancement phase, and enhanced and weakened in portal venous and equilibrium phase (66.7%). MRI manifestations of most tumors were hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI (72.7%). B-ultrasound mostly showed hyperechoic mass in the tumor area with punctate vascular shadow (52.9%). Postoperative hospital stay was 9.0±2.4 days for laparoscopic surgery patients (n=13), 13.4±6.3 days for traditional laparotomy (hereinafter referred to as laparotomy, n=10), and 3 days for 1 patient with microwave ablation. All postoperative pathological results were positive for HMB45 and Melan-A. Follow-up results: 21 cases survived normally, with no tumor recurrence in the recent physical examination; two cases had tumor recurrence and they died two and three years after surgery, and one case was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Hepatic PEComa more commonly occurs in middle-aged women, with no specific features for tumor markers and clinical manifestations. Some imaging findings are specific, so its features can be combined as a basis for diagnosis. Postoperative pathological examination results can confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, surgery remains the initial treatment plan. Microwave ablation and laparoscopic surgery are recommended as the preferred option because of shorter hospital stays and less trauma than open surgery.