Page 106 - ARNM-3-3

Advances in Radiotherapy
& Nuclear Medicine Sarcomatoid HCC therapy

their effectiveness is often limited due to tumor resistance Author contributions
and adverse side effects. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such
as sorafenib and sunitinib are also not effective in SHC Conceptualization: Trong Khoa Mai, Cam Phuong Pham,
Van Thai Pham, Quang Hien Le
management. There have been no studies proving that Formal analysis: Binh Duong Nguyen, Thi Hong Lieu
2
non-surgical methods can prolong patient survival.
Nguyen
Given the poor response of SHC to conventional Investigation: All authors
therapies, the potential role of immunotherapy— Methodology: Cam Phuong Pham, Quang Hien Le
particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors—is of growing Writing–original draft: Binh Duong Nguyen, Thi Hong
interest. However, clinical evidence in SHC remains Lieu Nguyen
limited, and further studies are needed to explore its Writing–review & editing: Cam Phuong Pham, Trong Khoa
therapeutic value. In the context of our case, the disease Mai, Van Thai Pham, Quang Hien Le
recurred multiple times after repeated surgical and
embolization treatments. The most recent tumor was Ethics approval and consent to participate
inoperable; therefore, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Bach
was initiated as a last resort. However, after two cycles, the Mai Hospital (Approval No: 24/BM-HĐĐĐ). Written
patient exhibited liver failure, forcing discontinuation of informed consent was obtained from the patient before
chemotherapy and transition to supportive and palliative participation.
care. This case highlights the aggressive nature of SHC, its
poor response to available treatments, and the urgent need Consent for Publication
for more effective therapeutic strategies. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient

4. Conclusion for publication of his data.
SHC is a rare and highly aggressive variant of Availability of data
HCC, characterized by rapid progression, high All original data supporting the findings of this study are
recurrence rates, and poor prognosis. Histological and included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to
immunohistochemical criteria are the gold standard to the corresponding author.
differentiate SHC from primary sarcomas and other hepatic
malignancies for definitive diagnosis. Despite multimodal References
treatment, including surgery, transarterial embolization, 1. Yu Y, Zhong Y, Wang J, Wu D. Sarcomatoid hepatocellular
and systemic chemotherapy, patients often exhibit limited carcinoma (SHC): A case report. World J Surg Oncol.
therapeutic response and multiple recurrences, ultimately 2017;15(1):219.
leading to poor survival outcomes. Further research is doi: 10.1186/s12957-017-1286-1
necessary to assess the efficacy of emerging therapies, such
as immunotherapy, in improving the prognosis of SHC. 2. Zhang C, Feng S, Tu Z, et al. Sarcomatoid hepatocellular
carcinoma: From clinical features to cancer genome. Cancer
Acknowledgments Med. 2021;10(18):6227-6238.
The authors would like to thank the participating patients, doi: 10.1002/cam4.4162
as well as the colleagues and nurses who made this work 3. Kojiro M, Sugihara S, Kakizoe S, Nakashima O,
possible. Kiyomatsu K. Hepatocellular carcinoma with sarcomatous
change: A special reference to the relationship with
Funding anticancer therapy. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1989;23(S1):
S4-S8.
None.
doi: 10.1007/BF00647229
Conflict of interest 4. Marijon H, Dokmak S, Paradis V, et al. Epithelial-to-
Pham Cam Phuong is an Editorial Board Member of this mesenchymal transition and acquired resistance to sunitinib
journal but was not involved in any aspect of the editorial in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol.
2011;54(5):1073-1078.
or peer-review process of this paper, directly or indirectly.
The remaining authors declare no known competing doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.11.011
financial interests or personal relationships that could have 5. Obara K, Matsumoto N, Okamoto M, et al. Insufficient
influenced the work presented in this paper. radiofrequency ablation therapy may induce further

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 98 doi: 10.36922/ARNM025220024