Coincidental Occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma (Collision Tumors) After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

authors:

avatar Waleed Al Hamoudi 1 , * , avatar Hatem Khalaf 2 , avatar Naglaa Allam 2 , avatar Mohammed Al Sebayel 2

Gastroenterology Unit, King Saud University, walhamoudi@gmail.com, 11461, Saudi Arabia
Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.12, issue 10; 5871
published online: October 28, 2012
article type: Case Report
received: April 20, 2012
accepted: October 11, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.5871

how to cite: Al Hamoudi W , Khalaf H , Allam N , Al Sebayel M . Coincidental Occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma (Collision Tumors) After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report. Hepat Mon. 2012;12(10):5871. https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.5871.

Abstract

Coincidental occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma, known as collision tumors, within a cirrhotic liver is rare. Herein, we report a case of liver transplantation (LT) in a patient with such collision tumors. Our patient was a 56-year-old woman with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and 2 focal hepatic lesions, measuring 1.5 and 3 cm, in the liver segments 8 and 5, respectively. The lesion on segment 8 showed the typical radiological characteristics of HCC; however, the lesion in segment 5 showed an atypical vascular pattern and was closely associated with the inferior vena cava. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was normal and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level was slightly elevated (63 U/mL); the extrahepatic spread of HCC was ruled out. The patient underwent an uneventful deceased-donor LT. Histopathological examination of the explant confirmed that the lesion on segment 8 was an HCC, but surprisingly, the lesion on segment 5 was found to be a cholangiocarcinoma. Six months after LT, the serum CA19-9 level was markedly elevated (255 U/mL), and the patient began experiencing abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed enlarged hilar and paraaortic lymph nodes that were suggestive of metastases; histopathological analysis using ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy confirmed recurrent cholangiocarcinoma. Unfortunately, the patient died because of tumor recurrence 9 months after LT.\r\nCollision tumor resulting from the co-existence HCC and cholangiocarcinoma in a cirrhotic liver is rare and has a negative impact on the outcome of LT. Atypical vascular pattern and elevated serum CA19-9 levels are suggestive of such tumors; patients with these findings should undergo a targeted biopsy to rule out the coincidental occurrence of HCC and cholangiocarcinoma.

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