EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PATIENTS AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION DUE TO HEPATIC EPITHELIOID HEMANGIOENDOTHELIOMA

Aleksandra Serafin; Aleksandra Suchołbiak; Karolina  Baran; Maja Podolak; Klaudia Pachulska; Oskar Mikołajczyk; Irmina Grygutis; Urszula Jarzęcka; Łukasz  Chętko

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5757

Authors

Aleksandra Serafin Czerniakowski Hospital Sp. z o.o., Stępińska 19/25, 00-739 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2573-0811
Aleksandra Suchołbiak Infant Jesus Clinical Hospital, Williama Heerleina Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2931-157X
Karolina Baran John Paul II Western Hospital in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Daleka 11, 05-825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3076-2892
Maja Podolak Mazovian Bródnowski Hospital Sp. z o.o., Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5409-8511
Klaudia Pachulska Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5105-8798
Oskar Mikołajczyk Infant Jesus Clinical Hospital, Williama Heerleina Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8470-6845
Irmina Grygutis Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2863-3471
Urszula Jarzęcka Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, Professor W. Orlowski Memorial Hospital, Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1160-8541
Łukasz Chętko Czerniakowski Hospital Sp. z o.o., Stępińska 19/25, 00-739 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9095-4880

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5757

Keywords:

Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma, Hepatic, Liver Tumor, Liver Transplantation, Prognostic Factors, Survival

Abstract

Introduction: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor of low-to-intermediate malignant potential with an incompletely defined biological behaviour, exhibiting both benign and malignant features. It most commonly affects the liver, but may also involve other organs, such as the lungs and bones. Due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and similarity to other vascular tumors primarily affecting the liver, misdiagnosis remains a common clinical challenge. Currently, several therapeutic approaches are used depending on various factors, but liver transplantation (LTx) is increasingly considered as the treatment option for patients with metastatic HEHE, particularly in unresectable cases. Several studies indicate a favorable prognosis following transplantation for HEHE.

Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to review the existing literature on treatment outcomes and to identify prognostic factors in patients undergoing LTx due to HEHE.

Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed using the PubMed database.

Results and Conclusions: LTx is a crucial treatment option for patients with unresectable and multifocal HEHE. Current data indicate that post-transplant survival rates are favorable, with the potential to achieve durable, recurrence-free survival - even in the presence of extrahepatic metastases. Several prognostic factors have been identified that may influence post-transplant outcomes, including tumor burden, presence of extrahepatic disease (EHD), vascular invasion and tumor growth dynamics. In light of the limited efficacy of available systemic therapies, LTx should be considered the preferred treatment option in carefully selected patients with advanced HEHE. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up remains crucial to identify potential recurrence or complications.

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