Malignant mixed tumor of the liver: report of a case and a review of the literature

Abstract

Malignant mixed tumor of the liver seen in a 4 year old girl was reported. Progressive hepatomegaly, jaundice, anemia, and extraordinarily high level of serum total cholesterol were noted clinically. Postmortem examination had disclosed that most part of the tumor was occupied by fibrosarcomatous cell growth admixed with rhabdomyosarcomatous component. In addition, carcinomatous component was distinctly recognized in a restricted part of the liver tumor. Previous reports on malignant mixed tumor of the liver were reviewed and it was emphasized that the histological diagnosis of malignant hepatic mixed tumor must be cautiously followed Edmondson's criteria; which requires existence of both epithelial and mesenchymal components of neoplastic nature and malignancy of either or both components in a hepatic tumor.