Diagnosis of the Primary Tumor Site in the Case of Liver Metastatic Carcinoma

Cureus. 2022 Jul 12;14(7):e26782. doi: 10.7759/cureus.26782. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Immunohistochemical markers have been frequently utilized as a diagnostic tool in pathology to help in diagnosing malignancy of unknown primary sites. In previous cases, the immunohistological expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7), Napsin A, and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) has helped identify and diagnose primary malignancy as originating from the lung. This case report describes an elderly woman with a liver metastasis consistent with a lung primary and illustrates the utility and importance of tissue-specific markers as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of unknown primary tumors.

Keywords: hepatic malignancy; immunohistochemistry staining; lung adenocarcinoma; metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary; non-cirrhotic liver.

Publication types

  • Case Reports