Ectopic Hepatic Tissue and Associated Malignancies

Ectopic hepatic tissue refers to hepatocellular parenchyma located outside the normal liver without anatomic or vascular continuity. It arises from developmental anomalies during embryogenesis and is distinct from accessory lobes, which maintain a connection to the orthotopic liver. Reported in fewer than 1% of autopsy and laparoscopic series, ectopic tissue is most often found on the gallbladder serosa, within ligaments or the thoracic cavity. Its atypical vascular and biliary architecture predisposes to bile stasis, chronic inflammation and altered perfusion, all of which heighten the risk of malignant transformation. Indeed, hepatocellular carcinoma can develop within ectopic foci, often presenting without the typical radiological hallmarks seen in the orthotopic liver. Clinically, ectopic tissue is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, but may manifest with torsion, compression of adjacent structures or intra-abdominal haemorrhage. Cross-sectional imaging with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging plays a central role in detection, though definitive diagnosis hinges on histopathology. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment both to establish a diagnosis and to remove potentially premalignant or malignant tissue. Awareness of this anomaly is essential for surgeons and radiologists worldwide in order to avoid misdiagnosis, to prevent complications and to guide appropriate management strategies.

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Ectopic Hepatic Tissue and Associated Malignancies publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ectopic hepatic tissue and associated malignancies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ectopic hepatic tissue: Hepatocellular tissue located separate from the main liver without vascular or biliary continuity.

Accessory hepatic lobe: A congenital hepatic outgrowth that remains connected to the orthotopic liver by a stalk or bridge of tissue.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: A primary malignant tumour arising from hepatocytes, often linked to chronic liver injury or altered tissue architecture.

References

1. Ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma manifesting multiple abdominal masses. Medicine (2017).
2. An Incidental Discovery of the Intrathoracic Accessory Liver Lobe in a 72-Year-Old Man: Case Report and Literature Review. Surgeries (2024).
3. Enormous ectopic liver tissue at the gastrohepatic ligament: a rare entity at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Egyptian Liver Journal (2024).