Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the colon: what should we target?

Pathol Oncol Res. 2012 Jan;18(1):93-6. doi: 10.1007/s12253-011-9424-5. Epub 2011 Jun 12.

Abstract

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is a rare extra hepatic neoplasm that displays morphological and phenotypic features similar to those of hepatocellular carcinoma. We report a case of a 75-year-old woman, presenting with abdominal pain and complaints of weakness and lost of appetite, who was found to have a mass on her right colon. She underwent right hemicolectomy for a pT3N2M0, stage IIIC colon cancer. The tumor phenotype and immunophenotype, as documented by alpha-fetoprotein immunoreaction positivity, were consistent with adenocarcinoma of hepatoid origin. The patient received FOLFOX-4 regimen as adjuvant treatment, relapsed after six cycles, then was switched to FOLFIRI regimen plus Bevacizumab and progressed after only four cycles. She died 1 month later, eight months after the diagnosis. The lack of any clinical benefit despite an aggressive and multimodal therapeutic strategy, raises a question about what should be targeted when we face this rare disease associated with a very poor prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / chemistry
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prognosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins