Undifferentiated hepatic carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Osteoclast-like giant cell tumor (OGCT) is a common bone tumor, occasionally observed in some extraosseous organs, but rarely involving the digestive system, especially the liver. Previously reported osteoclast-like giant cell carcinoma of the liver often coexists with sarcomatoid or hepatocellular carcinoma. Undifferentiated liver tumors with osteoclast-like giant cells (OGCs) are extremely rare. Due to its rarity, there is no consensus for diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated liver tumors with OGCs. Definitive diagnosis comes from surgery, so there is often a long delay in diagnosis following the occurrence of symptoms. This case describes an extremely rare case of an undifferentiated liver tumor with OGCs in detail. It also summarizes the previously published cases based on liver tumors with OGCs from August 1980 to June 2021, providing extensive evidence to improve preoperative diagnosis and management options.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver with osteoclast-like giant cells: a case report and literature review

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with osteoclastlike giant cells (OGCs) is extremely rare and was first described and reported by Munoz [19]. To date, including our case, there have been only 20 reported cases [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. Westra et al [24] reported a liver consultation case without detailed patient information.…”

“…Clinical and pathological information, such as gender, age, tumor size, clinical presentation, neoadjuvant therapy, underlying liver disease, location of surgery, histopathological diagnosis, cirrhosis, CD68 expression in OGCs, and clinical outcomes were collected for each patient. Detailed clinical and pathological information for these cases, including our case, is presented in Additional file 1: Table S1 [ [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37].…”

“…Without understanding its clinicopathological characteristics, there is a risk of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, resulting in poor prognosis. Since Munoz et al first described this phenomenon in 1980 [19], only 19 similar cases have been reported [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37], and the follow-up information for these cases suggests aggressive biological behavior. Here, we report a rare case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver with OGCs and review similar liver cases published between 1980 and 2023.…”