Hepatocellular carcinoma with persistent hypoglycemia: successful treatment with corticosteroid and frequent high carbohydrate intake

Abstract

The authors report a 36-year old man, who had hepatocellular carcinoma with lung metastasis and presented with coma from hypoglycemia. Serum insulin and c-peptide level were suppressed. Serum cortisol level was appropriately increased during the event. He needed glucose at least 3.65 mg/kg/min intravenously to maintain euglycemia. Cytoreduction of the tumor was not possible due to advanced stage disease. The patient had several episodes of morning hypoglycemia, despite having oral prednisolone 40 mg/day. However, glucose requirement was decreased after steroid usage. Normoglycemia was accomplished by adjunctive frequent high carbohydrate meal. Prednisolone was replaced to a lower dosage dexamethasone (2 mg/day). He did not have recurrent hypoglycemia as long as he had a midnight snack. Articles regarding hypoglycemia in HCC were extensively reviewed.