Hepatic carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcoma: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Objective: To study the clinical and pathological manifestations in a case of hepatic carinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation (HCSR).
Methods: A case of HCSR was clinically and pathologically evaluated by macroscopy, microscopy, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and electron microscopy, along with thorough review of related literatures.
Results: HCSR tends to occur in elder patients without gender skew. This disease initially presented as an epigastric illness, with elevated serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and a mass on the right liver discovered through radiography. The patient in this report carried both hepatic carcinoma and variously differentiated forms of sarcoma components, with identifiable rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the hepatic carcinosarcoma was positive for epithelial markers; the mesenchymatous component was diffuse-like positive for Vimentin and mosaic-like positive for SDHB, CD117; and the rhabdomyosarcoma was positive for the muscular markers, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images showed the tumor had both epithelial and rhabdomyosarcoma ultra-microstructures.
Conclusion: HCSR are malignant tumor associated with poor prognosis, and is difficult to diagnose due to its unique and varied clinical manifestations. In this case study, we used a combination of methods including assessing histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and ultra-microscope observations to further determine criteria for differential diagnosis.

Keywords

Hepatic carcinosarcoma / Rhabdomyosarcoma / Clinical pathology / Immunohistochemistry / Ultra-microstructure

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

We declare that we have no conflict interests.

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