Successful en bloc resection of primary hepatocellular carcinoma directly invading the stomach and pancreas

Multivisceral surgical resection for cure was successfully performed in a 70-year-old man suffering from a primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with direct invasion to the stomach and pancreas. The patient presented with gastric outlet obstruction, upper abdominal pain and a history of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy revealed an infiltrating tumor protruding through the gastric wall and obliterating the lumen. Computer tomograghy (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan demonstrated a 15-cm tumor in the left lateral segment of the liver with invasion to the stomach and pancreas. Alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) levels and liver function tests were normal. The patient underwent an en bloc left hepatectomy, total gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and radical lymphadenectomy. Pathology revealed a poorly differentiated, giant cell HCC involving the stomach and pancreas. Disease-free margins of resection were achieved. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Sixteen months after surgery, he has no recurrence or distal metastasis. Direct invasion of HCC into the GI tract is rarely encountered. Complete surgical resection should be considered in selected patients with an appropriate hepatic functional reserve. (C) 2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.