Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting as Extension of Tumor Thrombus into the Right Atrium from the Portal Vein through Inferior Vena Cava Treated with Chemoembolization: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Abstract Patients with tumor thrombosis in the portal vein due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are uncommon, and the majority of these cases is thought to be in an advanced stage with a bad prognosis. The right atrium and the inferior vena cava may be impacted by the intravascular tumor thrombus, with the latter having a bad prognosis. Portal vein involvement is one of the most serious consequences of HCC. For both systemic and locoregional therapy, targeting many pathways in the HCC cascade using a mix of medications and additional modalities like transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization, radiation, and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy appears to be helpful. Portal vein tumor thrombosis, which affects 35 to 50% of patients, is a strong predictor of poor prognosis due to the higher likelihood of tumor migration into the bloodstream and the subsequent increased risk of recurrence. This case report highlights about a 60-year-old female who presented with HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis not willing for chemo- and radiotherapy successfully treated with transarterial chemoembolization as a palliative management.