Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Pancreatitis. Issue 5 (7th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chaudhari, Rahul; Murphy, Katherine; Schwartz, Stephen; Chaudhari, Jigisha; Ho, Immanuel; Nunes, Frederick
• Is Part Of: ACG Case Reports Journal. Volume 7:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: e00381
• Publication Date: 2020-05-07
• DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2326-3253

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is an uncommon and aggressive type of adenocarcinoma, typically affecting the middle-aged and elderly. The morphological features of the HAC resemble hepatocellular carcinoma. Presenting symptoms may include upper abdominal pain, hematemesis, back pain, and palpable abdominal mass. HAC has no proven therapy, and the prognosis is extremely poor. Early surgical removal with chemotherapy remains the standard of care. We describe one of the youngest patients in the literature with HAC who presented with acute pancreatitis. The diagnostic workup was confused by diffuse lymphadenopathy and elevated β-human chorionic gonadotropin making lymphoma and germ cell tumor likely possibilities until immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis.