Mandibular metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma: a case involving severe postbiopsy hemorrhage

Abstract

Purpose: To highlight the hemorrhagic character of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Patient and method: A case report of a patient with mandibular metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, who had severe postbiopsy hemorrhagic episodes, and literature review is presented.

Conclusions: Mandibular metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma is a hemorrhagic tumor because of its hypervascular nature. Any rapidly enlarging swelling with ill-defined mandibular destruction suggestive of malignancy should be considered for metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Only a needle biopsy should be attempted in view of the hemorrhagic nature of the tumor. Palliative radiotherapy can be useful for the control of local expansile symptoms of the tumor and because of its possible role in the prevention of hemorrhage.