Fulminant hepatic failure as the initial manifestation of small-cell lung cancer: Report of 2 cases

Abstract

In this report, we describe two cases of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) presenting with fulminant hepatic failure as the initial manifestation. Neither of the patients had a previous history of liver disease, evidence of viral infection, or exposure to hepatotoxins. Both presented with hepatomegaly and an increase in the serum LDH level. Although they had a history of smoking and respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea on exertion, their most striking initial symptoms were those of hepatic failure, which made it difficult to suspect the underlying primary lung cancer. In one case, contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen revealed hypovascular nodules that were not visible on plain CT. After a rapidly deteriorating course, both patients died, 8 and 13 days after admission, respectively. Autopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of the hepatic sinusoids and extensive replacement of the liver parenchyma by metastatic small-cell carcinoma. We conclude that metastatic SCLC should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients of advanced age with a smoking history presenting with rapidly progressive liver failure associated with hepatomegaly and elevation of the serum LDH.