Rapid Progression of Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Case Report Demonstrating Drastic Oncological Behavior.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PHNENs), including primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PHNEC), are extremely rare. PHNENs typically exhibit slow growth, although mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms have poor prognoses. PHNENs are also challenging to diagnose. CASE REPORT A 73-year-old man underwent plain computed tomography (CT), which incidentally detected a 42-mm solitary hepatic tumor. Serum levels of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) were elevated at 138 mAU/mL. Thirteen days later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an enlarged hepatic tumor with tumor thromboses extending into the hepatic and portal veins. No early-phase enhancement was observed. At 18 days, Doppler ultrasound and dynamic CT evaluated the tumor as hypovascular, and a newly swollen solitary lymph node appeared. At 39 days, positron emission tomography (PET)/CT revealed strong uptake in the primary liver tumor and metastatic lymph nodes, with additional distant lymph node metastases emerging. At 49 days, a metastatic cervical lymph node was surgically resected. At 61 days, PHNEC was definitively diagnosed based on histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments. The Ki-67 labeling index was >90%. At 67 days, he was hospitalized to begin chemotherapy, but CT revealed end-stage disease. Palliative treatment was required, and the patient died of cancer 82 days after the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS We have presented a thought-provoking case of PHNEC with rapid oncological progression. To clarify clinical implications (eg, atypical imaging features and diagnostic pitfalls), detailed imaging findings are provided. We anticipate that this case will be informative for clinicians in this field.