Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as a chest wall mass – An unusual case diagnosed on cytology with review of literature

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with an aggressive behavior and a strong tendency for extrahepatic metastasis. Although 5%–15% patients have metastases at diagnosis, presentation with symptoms exclusively related to extrahepatic metastases is rare. An 82‐year‐old male presented with an isolated left anterolateral chest wall swelling. Ultrasonography revealed a soft tissue mass involving the anterior chest wall with adjacent rib erosion. Serum protein electrophoresis showed increase in beta‐2 region. A clinical diagnosis of multiple myeloma was considered. Fine needle aspiration cytology from the swelling showed loosely cohesive clusters of polygonal cells with traversing blood vessels. Cells showed abundant vacuolated to granular cytoplasm, round nuclei with frequent intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. A differential of metastatic HCC and renal cell carcinoma was considered. Subsequent imaging showed a 12 cm mass in the liver. Biopsy from chest wall mass with immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis. Lungs and lymph nodes are the commonest sites for metastatic HCC; presentation as chest wall metastasis is rarely reported. The classical cytomorphology of HCC proved useful in diagnosing metastasis at a rare site. Recent studies have shown that beta‐2‐globulin is a promising biomarker for early diagnosis of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease.