Ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as a right adrenal mass with IVC thrombus: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from several different etiologies and carries a poor prognosis. Extrahepatic metastases of HCC are most frequently found in the lungs, lymph nodes, and bones, with adrenal metastases reported in less than 15% of metastatic cases. Herein, we report a case of a 71-year-old man without prior liver disease who presented with a 9-cm right adrenal mass extending into the IVC consistent with HCC on subsequent surgical pathology and immunohistochemical staining. Etiological possibilities for an adrenal tumor as the first presentation of HCC include metastasis from occult primary liver HCC, intra-adrenal hepatic heterotopia, and adrenohepatic fusion.

Keywords

• Adrenalectomy
• Tumor thrombus
• Hepatocellular carcinoma