A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with erythropoietin production confirmed immunohistochemically

The patient was a 34-year-old male who experienced right hypochondrial pain and was referred to our hospital because of a liver tumor. His liver was palpated 4 finger breadths. RBC was 544 ×104/mm3 and Ht 55.7%. Serum erythropoietin showed 550 mIU/ml. The imaging diagnosis revealed a giant tumor and multiple lesions with a diameter of 10 to 20 mm around the tumor. The erythropoietin value increased after admission and reached a peak of 7100 mIU/ml. He passed away due to liver failure. The histological findings showed moderately differenciated hepatocellular carcinoma and erythropoietin was confirmed immunohistologically in the cancer region. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, erythropoietin is sometimes seen, but little is known concerning the disease state. A review of the literature revealed that there have been no reports of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with erythropoietin production confirmed immunohistochemically, and this case appeared to be valuable.