Improving recognition of hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor: Case report and literature review

Abstract

A 58-year-old man presented with the chief complaint of abdominal bloating and was incidentally found to have a liver tumor. As diagnostic imaging studies could not rule out malignancy, the patient underwent partial resection of segment 3 of the liver. The lesion pathologically showed eosinophilic proliferation, in addition to immunohistochemical positivity for human melanoma black 45 and Melan-A, thereby leading to the diagnosis of a hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa). A PEComa arising from the liver is relatively rare. Moreover, the name ‘PEComa’ has not yet been widely recognized, and the same disease entity has been called epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML), further diminishing the recognition of PEComa. In addition, PEComa imaging findings mimic those of malignant liver tumors, and clinically, this tumor tends to enlarge. Therefore, a PEComa is difficult to diagnose. We conducted a systematic review of PEComa and EAML cases and discuss the results, including findings useful for differentiating perivascular epithelioid cell tumors from malignant liver tumors.

Key Words: Angiomyolipoma; Tuberous sclerosis; Melan-A; Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor; Human melanoma black 45; Imaging

Core tip: Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are very rare. This is the first review to investigate and compare the results of both PEComa and epithelioid angiomyolipoma patients. As PEComas are primarily benign tumors, surgical interventions may be avoidable. The key findings in the differential diagnosis of this tumor include a blotchy vascular pattern within the tumor and no hemorrhage within tumors less than 7 cm at the maximum diameter. Furthermore, if PEComas have hemodynamic features similar to those of hepatic angiomyolipomas, then the patterns of the drainage veins would very likely be useful for differentiating hepatocellular carcinomas from PEComas, as observed in our case.

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are very rare. According to Bonetti et al[1], PEComas are perivascular epithelioid cell-derived tumors. PEComas of the lung also reportedly belong to the PEComa family, which includes clear-cell sugar tumors of the lung and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined PEComas[2] as “mesenchymal tumors composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells”. However, PEComas and epithelioid angiomyolipomas (EAMLs) are still regarded by many experts as the same disease.

Hepatic PEComas are difficult to diagnose and a gold standard for identification using diagnostic imaging techniques is lacking. Instead, the diagnosis of hepatic PEComa is established on the basis of positive immunohistochemical staining results for human melanoma black 45 (HMB-45) and Melan-A[2-5]. Herein, we conducted a systematic review of hepatic PEComas, including our case, to examine potential key features that would allow diagnostic imaging. We also aimed to ascertain the degree of recognition of the PEComa disease entity.

CASE REPORT

A 58-year-old man presented with the chief complaint of abdominal bloating and was incidentally found to have a liver tumor. The patient’s medical history included a gastric ulcer, appendicitis, and intervertebral disc herniation. Tests for the hepatitis C virus antibody and hepatitis B virus surface antigen were negative, and no evidence of tuberous sclerosis was found.

An abdominal ultrasound showed an ill-defined mass approximately 4.5 cm in diameter that was hypoechoic internally with a partial hyperechoic area. Furthermore, no halos, posterior echo enhancement, or dilated peripheral bile ducts were observed. The entire mass was visualized as low density on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) (Figure 1A). Contrast-enhanced CT showed a strongly enhanced mass in the arterial phase with a weakly enhanced center; the internal component-like structure showed relatively strong enhancement (Figure 1B). The portal venous and late phase CT showed washout with weak enhancement of the partial area inside the mass (Figure 1C and D). Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the mass showed ill-defined low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image (WI) (Figure 2A and B) and high signal intensity on the T2-WI. The weakly enhanced center of the mass, evident on CT, was visualized as high signal intensity on the T2-WI, very similar to that of the entire mass (Figure 2C). No decreases in signal intensities were observed in the out-of-phase and in-phase images, suggesting that no fatty components were present in the mass (Figure 2A and B). The mass was also visualized as high signal intensity on the T2-WI after administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide, suggesting the absence of Kupffer cells in the tumor (Figure 2D). In addition, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was 1.491 × 10^-3 mm²/s (Figure 2E). Celiac arteriography showed strong enhancement of the mass fed by thickened and distorted vessels from the left hepatic artery (Figure 3). These time-course findings raised suspicion of dilated drainage veins. Taken together, these imaging studies suggested that the patient likely had either a malignant hepatic tumor, such as a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or hepatic metastasis, or a benign liver tumor. As a malignant tumor was possible, we considered establishing a diagnosis to be essential and thus decided that resection of the tumor was necessary. Even if the tumor was found to be benign, tumor resection would be appropriate due to the risk of rupture in the near future. The resected specimen showed no capsule formation, and the tumor was composed of pleomorphic round to polygonal epithelioid cells with a pale, clear, eosinophilic cytoplasm. The specimen also had pelitic changes and was highly vascular with small vessels (Figure 4A, C and D). On immunohistochemical staining, the tumor cells were positive for HMB-45 (Figure 4B), Melan A, vimentin and actin; partially positive for α-smooth muscle actin (SMA); and negative for hepatocyte markers, CK7, CK20, desmin, CD68 and CD117. Moreover, the walls of the vessels showing pelitic changes and the vascular endothelium were both positive for CD34 and factor VIII. Taking these findings together, the weakly enhanced area identified within the tumor on the CT and MR images was suspected to reflect the presence of inflammatory cells. Ultimately, partial resection of segment 3 of the liver was performed, and a diagnosis of hepatic PEComa was established. To date, there has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis in the 5 years since the initiation of this treatment.

Figure 1 Computed tomography of the liver. A: The entire mass was visualized as low density on non-contrast computed tomography (CT); B: Contrast-enhanced CT showed a strongly enhanced mass in the arterial phase, and the center of the mass was weakly enhanced; the internal component-like structure showed relatively strong enhancement with a blotchy vascular pattern within the tumor (arrowhead) and distorted vessels (arrow); C and D: The portal (C) and late (D) phase CT scans showed washout of the contrast medium, and a portion of the internal area was weakly enhanced.

Figure 2 Magnetic resonance imaging of the liver. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was performed on a 1.5 T Achieva Philips device. T1-weighted image (WI): FOV 350, matrix 256 × 204, slice thickness 8 mm, TR 147 ms, TE 2.3/4.6 ms, flip angle 80 degrees; T2-WI: FOV 350, matrix 240 × 196, slice thickness 8 mm, TR 3300 ms, TE 90 ms; T2*-WI: FOV 350, matrix 432 × 346, slice thickness 8 mm, TR 186 ms, TE 8.7 ms, flip angle 60 degrees; Diffusion-WI: FOV 350, matrix 128 × 102, slice thickness 8 mm, TR 1385 ms, TE 70 ms. A: The mass showed ill-defined low signal intensity on the T1-WI; B: There were no decreases in signal intensities in the out-of-phase (B) and in-phase (A) images; C: The mass showed high signal intensity on the T2-WI. The weakly enhanced center of the mass, as shown on computed tomography, was visualized as high signal intensity on the T2-WI, very similar to that observed in the entire mass; D: The mass was also visualized as high signal intensity on the T2*-WI after administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide; E: The mass showed high signal intensity on the diffusion-WI. The apparent diffusion coefficient was 1.491 × 10-3 mm²/s.

Figure 3 Digital subtraction angiography. Arteriography of the celiac artery showed strong enhancement (arrowheads) with thickened and distorted vessels (arrows) fed by the left hepatic artery on A and B.

Figure 4 Microscopic features of the operative specimen. A and C: Show low and high power views, respectively, of the borderline area of the tumor (T) and non-tumor (NT) areas (magnification × 20 and × 200, respectively, hematoxylin eosin staining); B: Shows immunostaining features using an anti-HMB45 antibody (magnification × 20); D: Shows the tumor including fat (magnification × 200; hematoxylin eosin staining).

DISCUSSION

Definition of PEComa

Bonetti et al[1] were the first group to propose the concept of a PEComa family of tumors derived from PECs, which include clear-cell sugar tumors and lymphangioleiomyomatosis of the lung. In 2002, the WHO defined PEComas as “mesenchymal tumors composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells”[2].

Characteristics of the pathological diagnosis

The normal tissue counterpart of PECs is unknown. Immunohistochemical markers related to malignant melanomas, such as HMB-45, Melan A, and microphthalmia transcription factor, are quite useful for definitively diagnosing PEComa[3]. Typically, PECs are characterized by positive staining for myogenic markers, such as SMA, pan muscle actin, and calponin, and negative staining for cytokeratin and S100 protein[2-5].

Literature review

Our search of PubMed and Scopus identified 33 cases with primary hepatic PEComas, including our present patient, from 25 articles[6-30] and 40 cases with EAML from 17 articles[31-47]. Furthermore, a search limited to Japanese language publications yielded 3 articles on primary hepatic PEComas. These limited results reflect the poor recognition of PEComas. Given the almost equal number of articles concerning PEComas and EAMLs, it appears necessary to further promote the recognition of PEComas. Interestingly, according to the WHO classification[2], an angiomyolipoma is recognized as a PEComa. However, in clinical practice, an angiomyolipoma that has no or only a minimal fatty component is typically categorized as a PEComa. In fact, the concept of “PEComa” was not recognized by doctors (not even by radiologists) until recently, despite representing the highest number of operations for HCC in Japan.

This is the first review to investigate the results of both PEComa and EAML patients, with a total of 9 men and 64 women with a median age of 46 years (range, 17-75 years). The peak incidence was in the age range of 30-50 years, which accounted for 78% of all affected patients. A report on PEComa patients included 5 men and 28 women with a median age of 51 years (range, 18-75 years) and showed an age distribution that was bimodal, exhibiting an early peak in the 30 s and a second peak in the 50 s (Tables 1 and 2). Among all reported cases, 91% were from Asian and European countries; reports from Asian countries accounted for 66% and European countries accounted for 23% of the cases (Tables 1 and 2). A review of the annual number of reported PEComa and EAML cases in Asia revealed the incidence of PEComa to be increasing; thus, the number of reported PEComa cases is higher than that of EAML cases. In contrast, we did not identify a difference in the annual number of reported PEComa and EAML cases in European countries (Figure 5).

Table 1 The year reported, location, size, age, sex, clinical symptoms, and imaging findings of 33 cases of hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor.

Year reported	Reference	Authors	Age (yr)	Sex	Size (cm)	Location	Clinical symptoms	Detail of imaging findings	Country	Vessels in lesion
2014	our case		58	M	4.5	Lateral segment	abdominal bloating	HCC pattern	Asian	Yes
2014	[6]	Bergamo et al	31	F	10.0	Right lobe	vomiting and gastric reflux	early enhancement only	Asian
2014	[7]	Zhang et al	63	F	3.5	S5	None	HCC pattern	European
2013	[8]	Khaja et al	51	F	4.0	S4	None	HCC pattern	Other
2013	[9]	Tay et al	51	F	9.0	S2/3	appetite loss	HCC pattern	Asian	Yes
2013	[10]	Liu et al	25	F	5.5	S7	None	early enhancement only	Asian
2013	[11]	Shen et al	55	M	1.5	S6	None	HCC pattern	Asian
2013	[12]	Jafari et al	53	F	7.5	Lateral segment	epigastralgia	HCC pattern	European
2013	[13]	Cheung et al	53	F	10.0	Right lobe	abdominal discomfort	HCC pattern	Asian
2013	[14]	Zhao et al	58	M	7.6	S6	abdominal distention	HCC pattern	Asian
2013	[15]	Yu et al	41	F	2.2	S6	abdominal pain and vomiting	HCC pattern	Asian
2012	[16]	Tan et al	38	F	4.0	Right lobe(S8)	3 patients; colic pain or abdominal discomfort	HCC pattern	Asian
2012			34	F	4.3	Right lobe(S8)		None	Asian
2012			49	F	2.5	Left lobe		None	Asian
2012			75	F	8.0	Right lobe		None	Asian
2012			33	F	2.5	Right lobe		None	Asian
2012			71	M	None	Right lobe		None	Asian
2012			41	F	multiple	Left lobe		non early enhancement-gradual enhancement	Asian
2012	[17]	Durczyński, et al	18	F	15.0	Left lobe	Unknown	None	European
2011	[18]	Ahn et al	36	F	7.0	Left lobe	(tumor palpable)	HCC pattern	Asian
2009	[19]	Akitake et al	36	F	3.5	S2	None	HCC pattern	Asian
2009	[20]	Strzelczyk et al	57	F	20.0	Right lobe	abdominal pain and vomiting	non-contrast CT	European
2009	[21]	Sánchez Pérez et al	32	F	5.5	S7	None	no early enhancement	European
2009	[22]	Priola et al	36	F	11.0	Left lobe	abdominal pain	hemorrhage	European
2009	[23]	Patra et al	50	F	15.0	Right lobe	abdominal pain	early-gradual enhancement	Asian
2008	[24]	Della Vigna et al	46	F	3.5	S3	None	HCC pattern	European
2008	[25]	Paiva et al	51	F	0.8	Left lobe	None	None	Other
2008	[26]	Zimmermann et al	53	M	8.6	Right lobe	abdominal pain	None	Other
2007	[27]	Larbcharoensub et al	31	F	1.8	S8	abdominal pain	HCC pattern	Asian
2007	[28]	Fang et al	56	F	5.1	S4	abdominal distention	enhancement in the portal phase	Asian
2007			63	F	8.0	S1	None	HCC pattern and late enhancement	Asian
2007	[29]	Svajdler et al	55	F	3.5	S4	None	HCC pattern	European
2006	[30]	Parfitt et al	60	F	14.0	Right lobe	abdominal discomfort and pain	None	Other

HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; CT: Computed tomography.

Table 2 The year reported, location, size, age, sex, clinical symptoms, enhanced images and vessels within the lesions of 40 cases with hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma.

Year reported	Reference	Authors	Age (yr)	Sex	Size (cm)	Location	Clinical symptoms	Detail of imaging findings	Vessels in lesion	Country
2013	[31]	Occhionorelli et al	25	F	8.0	Left lobe	Abdominal pain	Early-gradual Enhancement		European
2013	[32]	Saito et al	46	M	1.2	S2	None	Early-gradual Enhancement		Asian
2013	[33]	Zhao et al	54	F	0.6	S4	None	HCC pattern		Asian
			30	F	3.7	S7	None	Non early enhancement-gradual Enhancement		Asian
			49	N	9.7	S4	None	Early-gradual Enhancement		Asian
			51	F	3.0	S5	None	HCC pattern		Asian
			52	M	3.2	S6	None	HCC pattern and late Enhancement		Asian
2013	[34]	Lo et al	70	F	24	Right lobe	Abdominal distention	None		Asian
			47	F	0.2	Right lobe	None	Early-gradual Enhancement		Asian
			41	F	10.0	Left lobe	Abdominal discomfort	HCC pattern		Asian
			40	F	9.0	Right lobe	Epigastralgia	HCC pattern		Asian
			36	F	7.5	Right lobe	None	HCC pattern		Asian
2012	[35]	Agaimy et al	63	F	1.0	S2/3	Nausea	HCC pattern		European
2013	[36]	Ji et al	64	F	5.0	S1	None	HCC pattern	Yes	Asian
			43	F	6.0	S2/3	None	Early-gradual Enhancement	Yes	Asian
			56	F	4.0	S4	None	Early-gradual Enhancement		Asian
			40	F	8.5	S2/3	None	HCC pattern	Yes	Asian
			46	F	4.2	S7/8	None	HCC pattern	Yes	Asian
			32	F	6.0	S2/3	None	HCC pattern	Yes	Asian
2012	[37]	Xie et al	32	F	3.4	S7	Dyspnea	HCC pattern		Other
2010	[38]	Wen et al	25	M	4.1	S4	None	HCC pattern		Asian
2009	[39]	Leenman et al	29	F	5.0	S3	Abdominal pain	None		Other
2009	[40]	Xu et al	51	F	6.5/4	S6/7, S4	Unknown	No early enhancement	Yes	Asian
			42	F	3.2	S1	Unknown	No early enhancement		Asian
			35	F	6.5	S6	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
			36	F	0.5	S4	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
			17	F	9.0	S578	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
			55	F	4.0	S2/3	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
			36	F	2.0	S4	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
			46	F	3.0	S2/3	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
			47	F	1.5	S6	Unknown	Early enhancement only	Yes	Asian
2009	[41]	Alatassi et al	26	F	11 (multiple)	Multiple	None	None		Other
2007	[42]	Khalbuss et al	39	F	12.0	S2/3	Abdominal pain	None		Other
2006	[43]	Rouquie et al	67	F	7.0	S4	None	Early enhancement only	Yes	European
2004	[44]	Tryggvason et al	42	F	6.0	S2/3	Abdominal pain	HCC pattern		European
2000	[45]	Savastano et al	39	F	1.2	S2/3	Unknown	HCC pattern	Yes	European
2000	[46]	Flemming et al	46	F	3.5/1	S6, S3	Unknown	Early enhancement only		European
			50	F	6.0	S1	Unknown	HCC pattern		European
			46	F	19.0	S4-8	Unknown	HCC pattern		European
2000	[47]	Yamasaki et al	30	F	2.0	Right lobe	None	Early enhancement only		Asian

Figure 5 The annual numbers of reported perivascular epithelioid cell tumor and epithelioid angiomyolipoma cases. PEC: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor; EAML: Epithelioid angiomyolipoma.

Clinical information

Clinical symptoms were reported in 55 of the 73 patients (no description in the other 18). Of these 55 patients, 29 (53%) had gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting. The symptoms were evaluated to determine whether they were correlated with tumor size[3]. Even patients with small tumors had symptoms (Tables 1 and 2). In addition, our present patient may have had inflammatory features because inflammatory cells were present within the tumor.

For half of the patients reported, there was no description of infection, while 4 patients reportedly had hepatitis B viral infection[14,31,38], which was considered to be unrelated to their PEComas. Of note, only 2 patients had tuberous sclerosis[37,41], and 5 had been diagnosed with PEComas involving multiple sites[10,16,40,41,46].

Diagnostic imaging

With regard to diagnostic imaging, we reviewed 74 lesions for which the tumor size and location were described; the tumor sizes ranged from 1.2 to 25 cm (median, 5.2 cm). There were 38 right lobe tumor sites (16 in the right lobe only, 4 in segment 1, 11 in the posterior segment, and 7 in the anterior segment) and 38 left lobe sites (7 in the left lobe only, 18 in the lateral segment, and 11 in the medial segment). These results indicate that the ratio of right to left lobe lesions is approximately 1 to 1, reducing the potential for predicting sites of development. A study investigating only PEComas found that tumor sizes ranged from 0.8 to 20 cm (median, 5.3 cm) and that 19 lesions were located in the right lobe (9 in the right lobe only, 1 in segment 1, 5 in the posterior segment, and 4 in the anterior segment) and 14 lesions were located in the left lobe (6 in the left lobe only, 5 in the lateral segment, and 3 in the medial segment). These data suggest that PEComas are more likely to develop in the right lobe of the liver. However, on the basis of the combined results of the reported PEComa and EAML cases, the possibility that PEComas develop relatively equally among regions of the liver must be considered (Tables 1 and 2).

The patterns of contrast enhancement were also evaluated in 58 cases. HCC patterns were observed in 30 cases: enhancement only in the arterial phase was observed in 12 cases; enhancement in the arterial phase without washout was observed in 8 cases; persistent enhancement after visualization of HCC patterns was observed in 2 cases; insufficient enhancement in the arterial phase and gradual enhancement in the late phase were observed in 6 cases; no definitive findings or unspecified patterns were noted in 14 cases; and hemorrhage was observed in 1 case. Collectively, 86% of the cases exhibited enhancement in the arterial phase, while 17% had a unique pattern, and 10% showed delayed enhancement (Tables 1 and 2). Moreover, all reported cases with hemorrhage within the tumor were also evaluated. All tumors with interior hemorrhage were at least 70 mm at the maximum diameter, with the exception of one that was 30 mm and showed hemorrhagic necrosis[47]. A blotchy vascular pattern, which appears to be useful for differentiating benign from malignant lesions, was observed in 17 patients. This pattern was considered to reflect abnormal vessels of leiomyoma lesions and to be a characteristic finding of PEComas.

To our knowledge, this is the first report to provide ADC values for PEComas. Our results are equivalent to the values in HCC patients and similar to those in leiomyoma patients[48]. Additional ADC data are awaited from future case series studies. As an added note, we do not expect ADC values of patients with PEComa to be different from those of HCC patients[49].

Clinical treatment and prognosis

We identified treatment approaches in 51 reported cases; 45 patients underwent surgery (1 underwent surgery due to an enlarged tumor after biopsy[24]), 6 received a biopsy only[6,8,16,37,41,46] and 1 was given chemotherapy with an mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor[6].

The first line of treatment for primary hepatic PEComa is short-term observation or surgery because these tumors tend to enlarge over time. The genes responsible for the pathogenesis of tuberous sclerosis have been identified as those affected by loss of function mutations (TSC1 or TSC2, i.e., a tumor suppressor gene), and these genes induce changes that have been shown to be related to the etiology of PEComas[50]. Thus, everolimus has also been used as a novel therapy for this tumor type[6].

One of the patients reviewed herein had a poor outcome[30]. Studies of hepatic angiomyolipoma have found that approximately 3% of all patients have poor outcomes[51]. However, PEComas are rare, and criteria for malignancy have not yet been fully established, although Folpe et al[5] suggested that tumors with diameters exceeding 5.0 cm, infiltrative margins, high-grade nuclear atypia, a mitotic count of more than 1 per 50 high power fields, vascular invasion, or/and necrosis should be regarded as malignant. They further proposed that PEComas with none of the above findings are benign, while PEComas with one of these findings are of uncertain malignant potential, and PEComas with more than one finding are clearly malignant.

We described the detailed differential diagnoses between benign patterns and malignant patterns from the literature. The criteria for malignancy of hepatic PEComas have not yet been fully established. Our search of PubMed identified 5 cases with malignant hepatic angiomyolipoma[30,51-54]. An invasive growth pattern was found in 62% of the cases. Although these histological features suggest malignancy, distant metastases were not found[4]. No data suggested malignancy other than the tumor size. The median diameter of malignant hepatic angiomyolipoma was estimated to be 15 cm (range, 11-26 cm).

Summary

As PEComas are primarily benign tumors, surgical interventions might not be necessary. The key findings for making an accurate differential diagnosis include a blotchy vascular pattern within the tumor and no signs of hemorrhage within tumors with a diameter less than 7 cm. Furthermore, the portal vein serves as the drainage system for most HCCs; if PEComas have hemodynamic features similar to those of hepatic angiomyolipomas, the patterns of the drainage veins are then highly likely to be useful for differentiating HCC from PEComas, as observed in our case. However, the hepatic vein provides drainage for some HCCs, and as such, HCC cannot always be ruled out on the basis of drainage patterns alone[55].

We conclude that even if enhanced imaging patterns present findings similar to those of HCC, PEComas should still be considered when no abnormalities are found in the background parenchyma and the results of testing for hepatitis virus markers are negative. Finally, when the lesion is easily accessible, a biopsy is strongly recommended so that histopathological examinations can be performed.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 58-year-old man presented with the chief complaint of abdominal bloating and was incidentally found to have a liver tumor.

Clinical diagnosis

The present study suggested that the patient likely had either a malignant hepatic tumor, such as a hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic metastasis, or a benign liver tumor.

Differential diagnosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic metastasis and benign hepatic tumor.

Laboratory diagnosis

Tests for hepatitis C virus antibody and hepatitis B virus surface antigen were negative, and routine blood tests were within normal limits.

Imaging diagnosis

A computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging suggested that the patient likely had either hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic metastasis, or a benign liver tumor.

Pathological diagnosis

On immunohistochemical staining, tumor cells were positive for HMB-45, Melan A, vimentin and actin; partially positive for α-smooth muscle actin; and negative for hepatocyte markers, CK7, CK20, desmin, CD68 and CD117.

Treatment

Partial resection of segment 3 of the liver was performed.

Term explanation

In 2002, the World Health Organization defined perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) as “mesenchymal tumors composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells”. However, PEComa and epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) are still regarded by many experts as the same disease.

Experiences and lessons

A PEComa arising from the liver is relatively rare. A diagnosis of hepatic PEComa is established on the basis of positive immunohistochemical staining results for human melanoma black 45 (HMB-45) and Melan-A. Patterns of the drainage veins would very likely be useful for differentiating hepatocellular carcinomas from PEComas.

Peer-review

The article is well written, the diagnosis is confirmed by radiography and pathology with immunohistochemistry of the key factors for PEComas, and it has a five year follow up.