A benign liver tumor mimics hepatic metastasis from colon cancer

Abstract

Background: Liver is the most common distant metastasized organ in advanced colon cancer. Surgical resection of metastatic lesions would offer the best chance of a long-term survival. An accurate diagnosis and evaluation of extent of disease is crucial in the management of liver metastasis. Objective: Report a benign hepatic condition mimicking liver metastasis in a colon cancer patient. Case presentation: A 53-year-old male with an early stage sigmoid colon cancer was treated with sigmoidectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin for six months. Annual computerized tomography of abdomen at two years after the surgery revealed three hypervascular nodules in the liver. Investigations including MRI of the liver and whole body FDG-F18 PET/CT demonstrated evidence consistent with non-metastatic liver nodules. Liver biopsy of one of the lesions led to the diagnosis of "focal nodular hyperplasia". Conclusion: The possible etiology, diagnosis, and further management of this benign liver tumor, the focal nodular hyperplasia became clear.