Unusual severe complication following transarterial chemoembolization for metastatic malignant melanoma: giant intrahepatic cyst and fatal hepatic failure.
We describe a 45-year-old male patient with malignant melanoma who underwent hepatic arterial chemoembolization due to liver metastases. Four months after the procedure, the patient developed a giant cystic cavity in the liver. Cytologic examination of the cystic fluid retention revealed necrotic tumor material. The fluid was drained by percutaneous catheter, but the patient developed hepatic failure. This case represents another rare complication of transarterial chemoembolization and shows that transarterial chemoembolization may have rare fatal complications.
Department of Medical Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, GATA Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. sataergin@superonline.com
Selmin
S
Ataergin
Mustafa
M
Tasar
Luis
L
Solchaga
Ahmet
A
Ozet
Fikret
F
Arpaci
D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004322:Drainage; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed