[Fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver: hepatocellular carcinoma with favourable prognosis]

Abstract

The authors report a case of fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver in a young woman with bilateral lung metastases. This tumour was surgically unremovable. Presently, after a chemotherapy with adriamycin and mitomycin, this patient is in good health, two years after initial diagnosis. Review of the literature shows that fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver occurs mainly in young patients. This tumor is characterised by large polygonal eosinophilic hepatocytes and an abundant fibrous stroma. It can be confused with focal nodular hyperplasia. Resection of the tumor and the methodical, repeated resections of metastases must be performed when possible. Prognosis of this tumor is better than that of the other variants of hepatocellular carcinoma.