Polycythemia and elevated serum erythropoietin associated with a liver haemangioma

Abstract

Background: Secondary polycythemia is a rare condition, which is usually associated to neoplasia or chronic pulmonary disorders.

Case report: A 41-year-old man man with no history of liver disease was admitted for erythrocytosis. The paraclinical investigations revealed an increased erythropoietin level in the serum and a voluminous hepatic tumor but its identification was unclear. A liver resection was performed and the histopathological examination concluded that the tumor was a giant cavernous haemangioma with extensive myxoid changes. After surgical resection of the haemangioma, normal haemoglobin and serum erythropoietin were obtained without any further treatment.

Conclusion: Liver haemangioma must be included in rare cause of secondary polycythemia, and surgical resection of the haemangioma should be considered as the standard to induce complete remission.