Primary carcinoid tumor of the liver: report of four resected cases including one with gastrin production

J Surg Oncol. 1996 Jul;62(3):218-21. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9098(199607)62:3<218::AID-JSO13>3.0.CO;2-2.

Abstract

Four cases of primary hepatic carcinoid were identified during a retrospective study of liver resections for primary tumor. The cases included two adult males, one adult female, and a 9-year-old boy in whom gastrin levels were documented. The estimation of gastrin levels was prompted by symptoms suggestive of acid-peptic disease. One patient died postoperatively. The other three are alive and well at 3 years, 2 years, and at 1 year, respectively, after surgery, outcomes distinctly different from hepatocellular carcinomas. Diagnostic difficulties may be experienced in histologic assessment, and this may require recourse to immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Long-term follow-up and careful exclusion of a possible primary elsewhere are necessary for establishing the primary nature of liver carcinoids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoid Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / pathology
  • Carcinoid Tumor / surgery*
  • Child
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gastrins / blood
  • Gastrins / metabolism*
  • Hepatectomy
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Gastrins