Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy is rare and poses significant potential risks to both the pregnant individual and the fetus. Here, we report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy. The 28-week gestational is a critical point of fetal maturation. A literatur...

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Main Authors: Qihui Hu, Jiaxing Li, Jixing Wang, Cong Chen, Rui Tao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43046-025-00285-z
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author Qihui Hu
Jiaxing Li
Jixing Wang
Cong Chen
Rui Tao
author_facet Qihui Hu
Jiaxing Li
Jixing Wang
Cong Chen
Rui Tao
author_sort Qihui Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy is rare and poses significant potential risks to both the pregnant individual and the fetus. Here, we report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy. The 28-week gestational is a critical point of fetal maturation. A literature review revealed no similar case with survival exceeding 2 years, following resection of a large hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in late-stage pregnancy. This article may contribute to future research aimed at extending the survival time of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in late pregnancy. Case presentation A 33-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at 34 weeks of pregnancy. A cesarean section was performed at 34 weeks of pregnancy. Under general anesthesia, a right lobectomy of the liver was conducted after 15 days. The patient received continuous support from the clinical psychology team throughout the entire perioperative period. The postoperative recovery was smooth, and the patient was discharged without any significant complications. Approximately 2 years post-surgery, follow-up indicated that the patient remained alive and in good health. Conclusions The physiological changes associated with pregnancy can promote rapid tumor growth, leading to poor prognoses. Expert decision-making should be guided by the growth and maturation status of the fetus in relation to hepatocellular carcinoma development. For patients in the late stage of pregnancy, timely termination of pregnancy and tumor resection surgery, along with obtaining assistance from the clinical psychology team during the perioperative period, followed by post-discharge treatment with a combination of Sintilimab and Lenvatinib, constitutes an effective strategy for prolonging patient survival.
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spelling doaj-art-3ceea9a2c5e64cf0bc396c62355bb83f2025-08-20T02:10:38ZengSpringerOpenJournal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute2589-04092025-06-013711810.1186/s43046-025-00285-zSuccessful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literatureQihui Hu0Jiaxing Li1Jixing Wang2Cong Chen3Rui Tao4Bishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityBishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityBishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityBishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityBishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityAbstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy is rare and poses significant potential risks to both the pregnant individual and the fetus. Here, we report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy. The 28-week gestational is a critical point of fetal maturation. A literature review revealed no similar case with survival exceeding 2 years, following resection of a large hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in late-stage pregnancy. This article may contribute to future research aimed at extending the survival time of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in late pregnancy. Case presentation A 33-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at 34 weeks of pregnancy. A cesarean section was performed at 34 weeks of pregnancy. Under general anesthesia, a right lobectomy of the liver was conducted after 15 days. The patient received continuous support from the clinical psychology team throughout the entire perioperative period. The postoperative recovery was smooth, and the patient was discharged without any significant complications. Approximately 2 years post-surgery, follow-up indicated that the patient remained alive and in good health. Conclusions The physiological changes associated with pregnancy can promote rapid tumor growth, leading to poor prognoses. Expert decision-making should be guided by the growth and maturation status of the fetus in relation to hepatocellular carcinoma development. For patients in the late stage of pregnancy, timely termination of pregnancy and tumor resection surgery, along with obtaining assistance from the clinical psychology team during the perioperative period, followed by post-discharge treatment with a combination of Sintilimab and Lenvatinib, constitutes an effective strategy for prolonging patient survival.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43046-025-00285-zHepatocellular carcinomaHepatectomyPregnancyPsychological supportCase report
spellingShingle Qihui Hu
Jiaxing Li
Jixing Wang
Cong Chen
Rui Tao
Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature
Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatectomy
Pregnancy
Psychological support
Case report
title Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature
title_full Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature
title_fullStr Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature
title_full_unstemmed Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature
title_short Successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature
title_sort successful resection of a huge hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy case report and review of the literature
topic Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatectomy
Pregnancy
Psychological support
Case report
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43046-025-00285-z
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AT jixingwang successfulresectionofahugehepatocellularcarcinomaduringpregnancycasereportandreviewoftheliterature
AT congchen successfulresectionofahugehepatocellularcarcinomaduringpregnancycasereportandreviewoftheliterature
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