BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spontaneous rupture with bleeding is a potentially life-th
reatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We review our exp
erience with treatments of ruptured HCC.
METHODOLOGY: Between January 1988 and December 1997, 18 patients with ruptu
red HCC were admitted. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to
the treatment type of ruptured HCC. Group 1 consisted of 10 patients treat
ed by transarterial embolization (TAE) followed by elective hepatectomy. Gr
oup 2 consisted of 2 patients treated by only TAE. Group 3 consisted of 3 p
atients treated by emergency operation. Group 4 consisted of 3 patients who
could not be treated by TAE or surgery.
RESULTS: In Group 1, 4 of the 10 patients died; 3 from recurrent HCC and 1
from cerebral hemorrhage, and hospital mortality was absent. The 1-year sur
vival rate was 87.5%. In Group 2, both patients recovered sufficiently well
to be discharged. The 1-year survival rate was 50%. In Groups 3 and 4, hos
pital mortality rate was 100%.
CONCLUSIONS: TAE followed by elective hepatectomy was an effective treatmen
t in patients with ruptured HCC.