Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a ciliated hepatic foregut cyst: case report and literature review

Abstract

We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a ciliated hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC) in the left lobe of the liver in a 60-year-old woman. Gross examination revealed an irregular, partially encapsulated, smooth tumor mass with multiple cystic areas, 3-5mm in size. Microscopically, the lining of the microcysts was composed of ciliated columnar epithelium with scattered goblet cells. Multiple foci of squamous metaplasia of the columnar epithelium were observed, which showed areas with dysplastic changes and other areas with carcinomatous transformation. Our case also showed an inconspicuous or absent smooth muscle layer. This case suggests that CHFC deserves careful clinical follow-up and differential diagnosis to exclude malignant transformation. Total surgical excision of the cyst is recommended.