Primary malignant hemangioendothelioma of the liver: survival following nonoperative treatment.

A case of primary hemangioendothelioma is presented. Following autodearterialization, the patient received 5-fluorouracil orally and total hepatic radiation. To date, 30 months later, he remains alive and active with residual hepatic defect on liver scan, but no indication of progression of disease. Primary malignant hemangioendothelioma is discussed briefly in terms of etiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment, and a treatment plan is presented. This case also presented an unusual side effect of 5-fluorouracil therapy -- mononeuritis multiplex -- and is presented out of interest.