Abstract
A 71-year old male had received radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, 5cm in diameter, about 16 months before visiting our department. He noticed a painful subcutaneous induration at the site of the needle puncture from the radiofrequency ablation therapy. The pathological findings revealed invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (Edmondson II type) in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue with invasion into the vessels. We diagnosed this case as hepatocellular carcinoma implantation to the skin by radiofrequency ablation therapy. Since radiofrequency ablation therapy or ethanol injection therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma is performed widely, we think that such a potential complication caused by needle tract implantation should be kept in mind. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2008; 23: 355-358]
