Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor: successful hepatectomy in two cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Background/aims: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor represents an extremely rare clinical entity with only very few cases having been reported to date.

Methods: The case histories of 2 patients with presumably primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor were analyzed and a complete follow-up obtained. The literature was reviewed to provide comprehensive data collection.

Results: Both patients underwent partial hepatic resection. Histomorphologic diagnosis revealed a neuroendocrine tumor in both cases. Extensive preoperative as well as intra- and postoperative search for the primary tumor did not identify another site of neuroendocrine tumor tissue. Six and ten years after hepatic segmentectomy, the 2 patients are alive and show no clinical signs of malignancy. Their most recent thorough follow-up included computed tomography and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Neither a nonhepatic primary neuroendocrine tumor site nor recurrent disease was found in the 2 patients. The literature review resulted in a complete survey of all previously reported cases of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Conclusion: We conclude that the liver was the primary site of the neuroendocrine tumor in both patients. Radical surgery was successfully performed as the only treatment option with curative intention.