CASE REPORT: We report a 64-year-old male patient treated with open right trisectionectomy for a 16cm right hemiliver tumour. The diagnosis of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed on histology. Five months after hepatic resection, patient had symptoms suggestive of Horner's syndrome along with left sided shoulder pain, hand weakness, reduced power of the intrinsic hand muscles and reduced pain perception over the C8/T1 dermatome. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a mass at the left lung apex/superior sulcus involving the left C8, T1 nerve roots, scalene muscles, and brachial plexus. The mass closely abutted the left first rib and partially encased the left subclavian artery. The patient was managed with palliative chemoradiotherapy for Pancoast syndrome.
DISCUSSION: Hepatocellular carcinoma pulmonary metastasis causing Pancoast syndrome is a rare occurrence with only four prior reports, and to the best of our knowledge, pulmonary metastasis from sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma causing Pancoast syndrome is unreported. In this report, we will discuss the clinicopathological characteristics of this case which may provide insight into diagnosis and management of other sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study from 2007-2011 comparing elderly (≥ 65 years old) and non-elderly (< 65 years old) with PLA. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Baseline clinical profile and outcomes were compared.
RESULTS: There were 213 patients (elderly patients = 90 [42.3%], non-elderly patients = 123 [57.7%]). Overall median age is 62 (interquartile range [IQR] = 53-74) years old. PSM resulted in 102 patients (51 per arm). Length of hospitalisation stay (LOS) was significantly longer in elderly patients in both unmatched (16 [IQR = 10-24.5] versus 11 [IQR = 8-19] days; P < 0.001) and matched cohorts (17 [IQR = 13-27] versus 11 [IQR = 7-19] days; P = 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients in the unmatched cohort (elderly patients = 21.1%, non-elderly patients = 7.3%; P = 0.003) but was insignificant following PSM (elderly patients = 15.7%, non-elderly patients = 9.8%; P = 0.219). Duration of antibiotic therapy and need for percutaneous drainage (PD) were comparable before and after PSM.
CONCLUSION: Age ≥ 65 years old is associated with longer LOS. In-hospital mortality though higher in elderly patients, was not statistically significant.