Malignant schwannoma of the liver

Abstract

Malignant schwannoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults, but primary schwannoma of the liver is extremely rare. We report an autopsy case of malignant schwannoma of the liver in a 63-year-old man. The tumor involved almost the entire right lobe of the liver. Microscopically, it was composed of moderately pleomorphic spindle cells with hyperchromatic nuclei with mitotic figures. The spindle cells were stained positively with antibodies to both S-100 protein and vimentin. Necrosis was found in the primary tumor. Only four other cases of malignant schwannoma of the liver were found in a review of the literature. Pertinent features of these tumors are discussed.

Hepatic schwannoma: A case report and an updated 40-year review of the literature yielding 30 cases

“…Although the tumor in certain cases was reported to be S-100 negative, other characteristics of it proved the malignant nature (9). When the patient wants to take a conservative treatment, the pathology and immunohistochemistry of the liver tumor tissue must be performed to exclude the malignant transformation, since survival with observation alone for malignant schwannoma is poor (10).…”

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Liver

“…Distant metastases to the lung, lymph nodes, and liver have also been reported (2, 15, 16). However, primary hepatic MPNST is extremely rare (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). To the best of our knowledge, only 11 cases (including our own case), of an MPNST arising from the liver have been reported (Table).…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, only 11 cases (including our own case), of an MPNST arising from the liver have been reported (Table). The median age at the onset of disease in the 11 cases was 63 years and there was a male predominance (8/11); the patients presented with a range of symptoms including right upper quadrant pain, liver mass, abdominal fullness, and jaundice (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). The biochemical investigations did not always demonstrate altered liver function (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…The median age at the onset of disease in the 11 cases was 63 years and there was a male predominance (8/11); the patients presented with a range of symptoms including right upper quadrant pain, liver mass, abdominal fullness, and jaundice (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). The biochemical investigations did not always demonstrate altered liver function (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). CT demonstrated a heterogeneous rapidly enlarging liver mass 7-30 cm in size (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…Most cases of MPNST are accompanied by neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1, von Recklinghausen's disease). MPNSTs arising from the liver are extremely rare, with only 10 cases have reported in the literature (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Hepatic MPNST without NF-1 is even rarer (10).…”