A Rare Occurrence of Scalp Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Case Report

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver malignancy and the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Extrahepatic spread in this type of cancer is most commonly seen in the lungs and lymph nodes and less commonly in the skeletal system. Skull metastases are exceedingly rare, with an incidence of 0.5 to 1.6% reported to date. We report a similar case of a middle-aged Asian male patient with parietal scalp swelling that was initially diagnosed as meningioma. Surgical resection was performed at a local facility. The abdominal computed tomography scan did not reveal any primary or metastatic lesion. After much deliberation, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was requested that showed multiple lesions in the liver. Metastatic scalp lesion should be considered a differential diagnosis in HCC regardless of liver symptoms.

Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma - meningioma - scalp metastasis

Introduction

Among primary carcinoma of the liver, hepatocellular is the most common. Regional lymph nodes and lungs and less commonly bones are the frequent sites of metastasis.[1] Upfront scalp metastasis occurs in only 0.47 to 1.6% of all hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with only a handful of reports in the literature.[2] Only seven similar cases have been published so far. This case report emphasizes that metastatic scalp lesion should be considered a differential diagnosis in HCC regardless of liver symptoms. In this case report, we present a rare case of HCC with scalp metastasis misdiagnosed as meningioma initially. The patient and his family provided their consent for publication.

Case Report

A middle-aged Asian male patient had a lump on his scalp for the last 14 months; it was painless on presentation, with recent rapid enlargement for which he underwent craniotomy and excision in a local facility under the tentative diagnosis of brain tumor. There was no associated history of headache, vomiting, or any neurological deficit. ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status was 0. The patient’s medical history was significant for previously treated hepatitis C virus-related hepatitis and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

Physical examination revealed a lump on the left parietal region with an oozing wound ~8.5 cm in diameter. Upon examination, it was red and nonpulsatile with a negative cough impulse. General and systemic examinations were unremarkable with no signs indicating chronic liver or brain pathology. The histopathology report of the excised mass at an outside facility was consistent with meningioma Grade III.

He was referred to our hospital for postoperative radiotherapy to the scalp. The case was discussed in our multidisciplinary team and histopathology slides were reviewed. Brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) revealed a left-sided extra-axial mass ([Figs. 1] and [2]). Histological findings favored HCC. Immunohistochemical stains HepPar-1 and cytokeratin confirmed hepatic origin ([Figs. 3] and [4]).

Fig. 1 Postgadolinium-enhanced coronal T1-weighted image showing enhancing large extra-axial dural-based mass in the vertex and left parietal region, involving the overlying scalp soft tissue. There was no intra-axial parenchymal extension.

Fig. 2 Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging showing enhancing large extra-axial dural-based mass in the vertex and left parietal region, involving the overlying scalp soft tissue. There was no intra-axial parenchymal extension.

Fig. 3 Positive cytokeratin staining (x20).

Fig. 4 Positive HepPar-1 staining.

His initial workup included a liver profile, a triphasic computed tomography (CT) abdomen, renal profile, complete blood count, and electrolytes, all of which were normal. His α-fetoprotein levels were 12.7 IU/mL. CT chest and abdomen showed a lesion in the one lung, which was consistent with TB, and a lesion in the lumbar vertebrae. MRI spine with contrast confirmed the lesion as metastatic ([Fig. 5]).

Fig. 5 Postgadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging axial slice through the L5 vertebra showing an enhancing lesion in the body of L5 vertebra anteriorly extending into the right pedicle. The sleeve of the soft tissue presents anteriorly in the pre- and paravertebral space without psoas infiltration. The sleeve of the soft tissue presents anteriorly in the pre- and paravertebral space without psoas infiltration (indicated by arrow).

Multiparametric MRI liver was performed that showed multiple lesions in the liver, hence supporting the pathological diagnosis of metastatic HCC to the scalp and lumbar vertebrae ([Fig. 6]).

Fig. 6 Postgadolinium-enhanced axial magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showing a nodular lesion in the hepatic segment 7/8 with patchy arterial enhancement (a) and washout on delayed sequence (arrow). (b) Postgadolinium-enhanced axial magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showing washout on delayed sequence (arrow).

The patient was hence offered palliative external-beam radiation therapy. A palliative radiation dose of 2000 cGy in five fractions with 400 cGy per fraction was prescribed and delivered for 5 days a week. Keeping in view the Child’s Class A a targeted agent sorafenib 400 mg twice daily was started. On 1-year follow-up, a marked reduction in the size of the scalp lesion was observed with almost no effect on the quality of life.

Discussion

HCC is one of the most common but lethal causes of cancer-related deaths. HCC prevalence is strongly associated with hepatitis B and C, accounting for high rates of occurrence in the Eastern world including Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.[3] [4] In the USA and many other European countries, there has been an uptrend toward contracting hepatitis C infection, leading to an increase in the development of HCC in the west side of the world.[5] [6] Among other risk factors, alcohol, aflatoxins, hemochromatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and metabolic syndromes are also associated with HCC. With the introduction of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, and other advances in the surgical and medical management of HCC, the life expectancy has considerably improved, unveiling the incidence of distant metastasis in these patients.[7] [8]

The number of deaths from HCC is considerably higher than its incidence owing to multiple factors including comorbidities, poor function of the rest of the liver, and misdiagnosis of secondary malignancies as the primary disease. Due to the poor long-term survival of HCC, 13% of incidences of distant metastasis have been documented at 5 years.[9] [10] Extrahepatic spread in HCC is most commonly seen in the lungs (47%) and lymph nodes (45%) and rarely in the skeletal system (16%).[1] [10]

Bone vertebrae and ribs are frequent sites of metastasis; skull lesions are extremely rare with a handful of cases reported worldwide until date. Upfront scalp metastasis occurs in only 0.47 to 1.6% of all HCCs.[2] Due to the rarity of the disease, the natural history has not been fully understood, so the management of these in terms of improved survival outcomes remains a challenge.

A thorough review of the literature suggests that most of these patients present clinically for the first time with soft cystic subcutaneous scalp mass without signs of neurological deficits.[11] [12] Others mentioned slight tingling over the lesion along with headaches and hemiparesis.[7] [8] [13]

Two-thirds of these patients show a strong association with hepatitis B or C. The diagnosis of HCC was made on the histopathological specimen with immunohistochemical staining positive for HepPar-1 and α-fetoprotein. The workup for a secondary tumor has led to the diagnosis of primary tumor in almost all these cases, with the liver being studded with single or multiple lesions on CT scans.

Conclusion

The treatment modality standards have not been established so far; however, the intent to keep the approach palliative remains undoubted. Hence, radiotherapy seems to be a reasonable treatment option for local disease control.

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

Patient Consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient has given her consent for images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal the identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed

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Publication History

Article published online:
26 November 2021