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©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2009; 15(31): 3940-3943
Published online Aug 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3940
Published online Aug 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3940
Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma presenting with radiological characteristics of focal nodular hyperplasia
Inneke Willekens, Anne Hoorens, Caroline Geers, Bart Op de Beeck, Frederik Vandenbroucke, Johan de Mey, Department of Radiology and Pathology, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
Author contributions: Willekens I, Hoorens A, Op de Beeck B and de Mey J designed research; Willekens I, Hoorens A, Geers C, Vandenbroucke F and Op de Beeck B performed research; Willekens I, Hoorens A and Geers C analyzed data; and Willekens I and Hoorens A wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Inneke Willekens, MD, Department of Radiology, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. inneke.willekens@gmail.com
Telephone: +32-24763645
Fax: +32-24775362
Received: March 20, 2009
Revised: June 19, 2009
Accepted: June 26, 2009
Published online: August 21, 2009
Revised: June 19, 2009
Accepted: June 26, 2009
Published online: August 21, 2009
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare tumor type containing unequivocal elements of both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma that are intimately mixed. Although these tumors are usually considered to be more related to hepatocellular carcinoma than to cholangiocarcinoma, they sometimes, in contrast to hepatocellular carcinoma, contain a significant amount of fibrous stroma. This might in some cases explain atypical radiological features. We report a case of a cHCC-CC in a 47-year-old female that resembled focal nodular hyperplasia on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Correlation of imaging and serum levels of α-fetoprotein and CA19.9 can help to make the correct diagnosis preoperatively.