An unusual case of anterior abdominal wall metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes about 1 million deaths each year worldwide. The patients usually present at an advanced stage when the growth is irresectable as there are no early presenting symptoms. Extrahepatic metastases of HCC occur in approximately 37% of patients. Common sites of hematogenous metastatic spread include the lungs, intra-abdominal organs, bones, adrenals, lymph nodes and peritoneum and rarely skeletal muscle. Together, spread of disease to the bones and muscle account for approximately 16% of all metastases. HCC metastases are found primarily with advanced disease. Anterior abdominal wall metastasis is known to occur after laparoscopy and as a result of needle tract implantation after percutaneous biopsy. However, primary anterior abdominal wall metastasis is extremely rare.We would like to present such an unusual case of hepatocellular carcinoma with anterior abdominal wall metastasis. Keywords: Metastasis | Hepatocellular Carcinoma | Anterior abdominal wall
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver. The outcome is poor, presentation is at a very advanced stage and only 10-20% of HCC's can be removed [...]