Carcinomatous involvement of the liver mimicking cirrhosis is a rare complication of metastatic carcinoma, most frequently seen with scirrhous carcinoma of the breast. The case of a 46‐year‐old woman with breast carcinoma presenting with ascites, jaundice, spider angiomata, and portal hypertension is reported. On hepatic scan the liver appeared to be almost the same size as the spleen, a finding frequently seen in cirrhosis. A chemotherapeutic program was introduced, but was of no benefit, and the patient died with uncontrolled esophageal bleeding. The prominent histologic feature on autopsy was intense stromal fibrosis and intravascular tumor infiltration with compression of vessels of the portal system.

Thirty‐nine patients with various malignant tumors developed intractable malignant effusions. The response rate in 12 patients given intracavitary quinacrine in small daily doses was 67%. Quinacrine was administered as a single dose through a thoracostomy tube in 27 patients. The response rate was 70%. There was no significant difference in useful response observed whether lung metastases were demonstrated or not. Signs and symptoms of quinacrine toxicity were observed in both patient groups with more of the disturbing and serious toxicity noted in the group receiving a single dose.

No abstract