Hepatocellular carcinoma of a short malignant transformation time in a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia

Few cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been described during the course of acute leukemia. The chemotherapy given may be responsible for the development of HCC in such cases. Associated hepatitis may also be responsible. Usually, cancer is a multistep process in which multiple genetic alterations must occur to have a cumulative effect on the control of cell differentiation, cell division, and growth control. This usually takes place over the span of years. Here, we present a case of a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia who developed HCC of a short malignant transformation time, which does not seem to be related to associated hepatitis or to the chemotherapy given. This may draw attention to the possible contributory role of certain products secreted by the myeloid leukemic cells such as the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in increasing the risk of developing HCC.