HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA METASTASIZING TO THE BRAIN AND ORBIT - REPORT OF 3 CASES

Hepatocellular carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the brain or orbit. We report 3 clinically manifest examples, one of which occurred in a 13- yr-old boy, in 2 cases the intracranial metastasis was the initial pre senting lesion. The 2 cases of brain metastasis both presented with in tracerebral hemorrhage. Light microscopic examination of these tumors revealed a trabecular hepatocellular carcinoma of Edmondson grade II w ith focal hemorrhage and necrosis. Their immunohistochemical profile w as identical to that described for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. T he differential diagnosis from other intracranial metastatic tumors is discussed.