Hepatocellular carcinoma and upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Introduction and Objectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents the most frequent malignant tumor of the liver, being the 5th most frequent cancer in men and the 7th in women worldwide; it is the 3rd cause of death from cancer in the world. To present a case of hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Materials and Patients

A 39-year-old female began her condition two days ago with the presence of hematemesis, accompanied by nausea, asthenia, and adynamia. On examination, icteric conjunctivae, globose abdomen, with the presence of abdominal distension, grade I ascites. Edema in the lower limbs +. Liver ultrasound with liver nodular lesions, chronic lithiasic cholecystitis, and free fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity. A simple and contrasted CT scan of the abdomen is requested with the presence of tumor activity at the level of the liver, portal thrombosis, free fluid in the abdominal cavity, and marginal T12-L1 osteocytes.

Results

We proceeded to perform sclerotherapy of esophageal varices and ligatures. Later, alpha-fetoprotein was requested, which reports 3680 ng/ml. The diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma was established and he was referred to the oncology service.

Conclusions

The best results are obtained with multidisciplinary teams for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Ethical statement

The patient's identity was protected. Consentment was obtained directly from the patient.

Declaration of interests

None

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.