Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma:a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare histopathologic form of primary liver cancer. We report a case of cHCC-CC and review the literature. METHOD: The clinicopathological features of a 61-year-old male were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was preopera-tively considered on the basis of clinical findings resembling those associated with HCC. Hepatectomy was therefore performed. Microscopically, the specimen displayed histological features of cHCC-CC. The patient has remained alive after follow-up for 3 months without evidence of recurrence and metastasis. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to make a correct preoperative diagnosis of cHCC-CC and hepatic resection is the treatment of choice.