Diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatic carcinoid tumor

Abstract

To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatic carcinoid tumor (PHCT). Report one case of huge PHCT treated in February 2004, and search the other 19 cases which were published from January 1994 to December 2006 in the Chinese biological and medical literature database. The clinical manifestation, pathological findings, diagnosis and treatment of these 20 PHCT patients were analyzed retrospectively. The main symptoms were abdominal pain or discomfort (8 cases) and abdominal mass (7 cases), cases with typical carcinoid syndrome were rare (3 cases). Immunohistochemical staining was positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A and synaptophysin in most cases. Sixteen cases received operation, among which there were 13 removed completely, other 4 cases were treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The definite diagnosis of PHCT depends on pathological and histochemical findings. Complete surgical resection is the best treatment for PHCT with favourable prognosis. TACE is also effective for nonoperative cases.