Hepatocellular Carcinoma Misdiagnosed as a Liver Abscess – A Story of Misdiagnosis and Long-Term Malignant Disease Control

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy. The presentation of HCC is highly variable which can delay diagnosis. However, the early diagnosis of HCC can significantly improve prognosis. A rare presentation of a patient with a new diagnosis of HCC with sepsis is described. A 56-year-old male presented septic with abdominal pain and a background of a chronic foot infection. The septic screen identified echocardiographic evidence of vegetations on the aortic and mitral leaflets. Also, an ultrasound of the abdomen identified multiple hypoechoic lesions suspicious for liver abscesses. Multiple attempts of ultrasound-guided aspiration of liver lesions were unsuccessful and he had a tumultuous course with recurring fevers over a period of six months. The diagnosis of HCC was eventually confirmed after the lesion eroded into his anterior gastric wall which caused an upper gastrointestinal bleed. He responded well to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and palliative radiation therapy. At four-year follow-up and after 11 TACE procedures, he is well without liver dysfunction and independent with daily activities.