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| Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver presenting as a hemorrhagic cystic tumor in an adult |
| Ho Hyun Kim, Jung Chul Kim, Eun Kyu Park, Young Hoe Hur, Yang Seok Koh, Chol Kyoon Cho, Hyung Seok Kim and Hyun Jong Kim |
Gwangju, Korea
Author Affiliations: Department of Surgery (Kim HH, Kim JC, Park EK, Hur YH, Koh YS, Cho CK and Kim HJ) and Department of Pathology (Kim HS), Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
Corresponding Author: Jung Chul Kim, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatico-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, 671 Jebongno, Donggu, Gwangju, 501-757, Korea (Tel: +82-62-220-6451; Fax: +82-62-227-1635; Email: 3rdvivace@hanmail.net) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma (UES) of the liver is a rare, highly malignant neoplasm with a poor prognosis occurring almost exclusively in late childhood (6-10 years of age). Only a few cases have been reported in adults, accounting for less than 1% of all primary liver neoplasms.
METHODS: A 47-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass in the left upper abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 12×10 cm cystic mass with hemorrhage in the left lateral segment of the liver. The initial impression was a hemorrhagic cystic tumor of the liver. The patient underwent a left lateral sectionectomy of the liver. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry helped make a diagnosis of UES.
RESULTS: The patient recovered uneventfully and received systemic chemotherapy. Radiologic examination for follow-up revealed a metastatic lesion in the lumbar spine (L5). She was subjected to radiotherapy at the lumbar spine. She survived 48 months.
CONCLUSION: Although hepatic cyst as UES of the liver is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity in adults and lack of specific findings, it should be considered in a differential diagnosis.
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2011, Vol. 10 
