Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Fibrolamellar carcinoma; FLC
Overview
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare subtype of primary liver cancer. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma most commonly in children and young adults.
Historical Perspective
Classification
- There is no classification for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pathophysiology
- The pathogenesis of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is characterized by:
- Lack of cirrhosis
- The overexpression of DNAJB1-PRKACA gene has been associated with the development of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.
- On gross pathology characteristic findings of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, include:
- Hard, scirrhous, and well-circumscribed
- Tumor bulging
- white-brown tumor with fibrous bands throughout and central stellate scar
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, characteristic findings of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, include:
- Tumor cells grow in sheets
- Trabeculae that are separated by collagen bundles (lamellar pattern)
- Large cells that contain abundant mitochondria
- Coarsely granular cytoplasm
Causes
- Common causes of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, include:
- Active hepatic inflammation
- Hepatitis B or C viral infection
- Alcohol-related liver disease
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Dietary aflatoxin B1
Differentiating Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Other Diseases
- Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma must be differentiated from other diseases that cause abdominal pain, weight loss, and malaise such as:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Focal nodular hyperplasia
- Hepatic adenoma
- Hepatic metastasis
Epidemiology and Demographics
- The prevalence of [disease name] is approximately [number or range] per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
- In 2012, the incidence of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma was estimated to be 0.02 cases per 100,000 individuals in United States.
Age
- Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].
- Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is more commonly observed among patients aged [age range] years old.
- Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is more commonly observed among [elderly patients/young patients/children].
Gender
- Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma affects men and women equally.
- [Gender 1] are more commonly affected with [disease name] than [gender 2].
- The [gender 1] to [Gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.
Race
- There is no racial predilection for [disease name].
Risk Factors
- There are no risk factors for the development of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma remain asymptomatic for years.
- Early clinical features include abdominal pain, weight loss, and malaise.
- If left untreated, the majority of patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma may progress to develop metastasis to abdominal lymph nodes, peritoneum, and lung.
- Common complications of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
- Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10year mortality/survival rate] of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#%].
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
- The diagnosis of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is made with the following diagnostic criteria:
- [criterion 1]
- [criterion 2]
- [criterion 3]
- [criterion 4]
Symptoms
- Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of [disease name] may include the following:
- [symptom 1]
- [symptom 2]
- [symptom 3]
- [symptom 4]
- [symptom 5]
- [symptom 6]
Physical Examination
- Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance].
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- [finding 1]
- [finding 2]
- [finding 3]
- [finding 4]
- [finding 5]
- [finding 6]
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
- A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
Imaging Findings
- There are no [imaging study] findings associated with [disease name].
- [Imaging study 1] is the imaging modality of choice for [disease name].
- On [imaging study 1], [disease name] is characterized by [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
- [Imaging study 2] may demonstrate [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
- Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
- Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].
References
- ↑ Michael Torbenson. Fibrolamellar Carcinoma: 2012 Update. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/scientifica/2012/743790/ Access on April 15, 2016
- ↑ EDMONDSON HA (1956). "Differential diagnosis of tumors and tumor-like lesions of liver in infancy and childhood". AMA J Dis Child. 91 (2): 168–86. PMID 13282629.