[Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): the long-term response to tamoxifen. A clinical case report and review of the literature].

A 52 years old female with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was treated successfully with Tamoxifen. The tumor involved IV hepatic segment with hilar extension and biliary obstruction, was unresectable, and had been pretreated with hormone-chemotherapy. Tamoxifen treatment induced a PR of 6 months, with normalization of serum bilirubin, reduction of alfa-fetoprotein level and improvement of PS, and was free of toxicity. At disease progression intra-arterial chemotherapy with Cis platinum (CDDP) and 5-FU gave a further 4 months PR, until disease progression and exitus in hepatic coma. Tamoxifen therapy, even in the absence of E.R. assay is a useful tool in the management of HCC patients. Further randomized studies are necessary to ascertain the role of Tamoxifen in the treatment of HCC.