Case Report: Successful palliative treatment with intraperitoneal OK-432 injection for epithelioid haemangioendothelioma presenting with intractable ascites
Journal
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
1
Pages
39-43
Date Issued
1997
Author(s)
Abstract
Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma is an unusual type of endothelium-derived vascular tumour of borderline malignancy, which has high variability in clinical presentations, depending on the primary site of involvement. We report on a 20-year-old woman who presented with progressive abdominal fullness for 6 months. Multiple lung and liver nodules with pleural effusion and profuse ascites were found. The diagnosis of epithelioid haemangioendothelioma was made after wedge biopsy of the liver. The ascites was intractable and refractory to strong diuretic therapy and repeated paracentesis. Therefore, six courses of intraperitoneal injection of OK-432 were administered. The ascites subsided to a minimal amount after treatment and the patient remained symptom-free for approximately 8 months. The ascites recurred later and another three courses of intraperitoneal injection of OK-432 were administered. The ascites disappeared again. The patient has remained symptom-free since the end of the second period of treatment.
SDGs
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing
Type
journal article