Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Right Adrenal Gland 11 Years After Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Case Report and Literature Review

Survival After Adrenalectomy for Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A 25-year Institutional Experience

Background

Extrahepatic manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare and primarily affects lung, lymph nodes and bone. Metastases to the adrenal glands are relatively infrequent. This 25-year institutional experience aimed for an analysis of factors influencing survival in patients undergoing surgery for HCC adrenal metastasis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the institutional database of the Clinic for General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery of the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany, was performed. Patients who underwent surgery for HCC adrenal metastases from January 1995 to June 2020 were included. Pre-, peri- and postoperative factors with potential influence on survival were assessed.

Results

In 16 patients (14 males, two females), one bilateral and 15 unilateral adrenalectomies were performed (13 metachronous, three synchronous). Thirteen operations were carried out via laparotomy, and three adrenalectomies were minimally invasive (two laparoscopic, one retroperitoneoscopic). Median overall survival (after HCC diagnosis) was 35 months, range: 5–198. Median post-resection survival (after adrenalectomy) was 15 months, range: 0–75. Overall survival was longer in patients with the primary HCC treatment being liver transplantation (median 66 months) or liver resection (median 51 months), compared to only palliative intended treatment of the primary with chemotherapy (median 35 months) or local ablation (median 23 months).

Conclusions

Surgery is a feasible treatment option for patients with adrenal metastases originating from HCC. In patients who underwent adrenalectomy for HCC adrenal metastasis, overall survival was superior, if primary HCC treatment was potentially curative (liver transplantation or resection).

Adrenalectomy for Bilateral Metachronous Adrenal Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplant: A Case Report

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. It is currently one of the leading indications for liver transplant, with selected 5-year survival rates after liver transplant of about 70%. Despite excellent results of liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma, a number of patients develop metastases after transplant, and multifocal metastatic disease is the most frequent cause of death. In a large autopsy series of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, adrenal glands were the third most common site of extrahepatic metastasis after lungs and bones. However, isolated metastatic disease in the adrenal glands is rare, and isolated metachronous bilateral metastasis is an even rarer occurrence. Only few reports have been published of metachronous bilateral metastasis of hepatocellular carinoma after liver transplant treated with bilateral adrenalectomy. We describe a case of a 56-year-old man who underwent liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma in a cirrhotic liver. Two years after liver tranplant, regular follow-up revealed metastatic disease in the left adrenal gland. Preoperative imaging showed no other metastasis, and he underwent an uneventful left adrenalectomy. A year after surgery, he presented with right flank pain and tenderness. Imaging showed hemorrhage and tumor involvement of the right adrenal gland, and he underwent right adrenalectomy. Two years after surgery, he is alive and well with no signs of disease recurrence. Apparently, in the absence of intrahepatic or other metastases, bilateral metachronous recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver tranplant can be a good surgical indication with acceptable long-term survival.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of adrenal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-center experience

Background

The prognosis of adrenal metastases (AM) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with surgical contraindication was poor. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety and treatment efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the local treatment of AM originated from HCC.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out on 22 patients (21 male and 1 female, mean age, 53.0 ± 13.0 years) who had single AM (mean diameter, 4.0 ± 1.8 cm, range, 1.7–8.0 cm) originated from HCC and received US-guided percutaneous RFA at our institution. The diagnosis was established on typical radiologic findings. The primary technical success was defined as the tumour being completely ablated in the first RFA session. The secondary technical success was defined as tumour residual left from the first ablation was completely ablated by a second ablation session. Local tumour progression (LTP) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 25 ablation sessions were performed. The primary technical success and the secondary technical success were 77.3% (17 of 22) and 86.4% (19 of 22), respectively, with the major complication rate at 4.5% (1 of 22). The median follow-up period after RFA was 10 months (3–55 months). During the follow-up period, five patients were detected LTP. The LTP at 3, 6, and 12 months were 15.8, 26.3, and 26.3%, respectively. Nine patients died of distant extra-adrenal metastases and another five of liver failure due to HCC. The OS at 6, 12, 24 months after RFA for AM were at 79.7, 52.6, and 32.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Percutaneous US-guided RFA in the treatment of AM originated from HCC is feasible, safe and effective.

Adrenalectomy for solitary recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma five years after living donor liver transplantation: A case report

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Solitary adrenal recurrence of HCC after LDLT is extremely rare.

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Strict follow up protocol is necessary to allow early detection of tumor recurrence.

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Curative surgical resection of solitary recurrent HCC is a safe option.

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It is associated with low morbidity and expected to have a good long-term survival.

Introduction

The adrenal gland is a rare site for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Solitary adrenal recurrence can be managed by surgical excision, with expected better survival outcomes.

We describe a rare case of successful left adrenalectomy of solitary recurrent HCC in the left adrenal gland 5 years after LDLT.

Presentation

59 years male patient with HCC complicating chronic HCV infection received a right hemi-liver graft from his son. The actual graft weight was 1208 g and GRWR was 1.5. The patient started oral direct acting antiviral drugs for recurrent HCV 2 years after LDLT.

A left adrenal mass was detected on follow up radiology. No other metastatic lesions were detected on metastatic workup. Left adrenalectomy was done by an anterior approach.

The postoperative course was uneventful and was discharged a week after operation. Postoperative pathological and immune-histochemical examinations confirmed the metastatic HCC nature of the mass. The patient is under regular follow up with no recurrences 6 month after resection.

Discussion

There is no consensus regarding the management of HCC recurrence after LDLT. Most patients had multi-organ recurrences and usually offered palliative or supportive care. Solitary HCC recurrence offers a better chance for more aggressive therapy, offering better prognosis.

Conclusion

Solitary adrenal recurrence of HCC after LDLT is extremely rare. Strict follow up protocol is necessary to allow early detection of tumor recurrence. Curative surgical resection is a safe option associated with low morbidity and expected to have a good long-term survival.