Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report

TL;DR

A patient with hepatocellular carcinoma experienced a ruptured tumor despite treatment, leading to a rapid decline and death.

Contribution

This case highlights the rare but severe complication of spontaneous tumor rupture after embolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Findings

The patient's liver mass ruptured despite prior transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90.

Additional embolizations failed to prevent the patient's deterioration and eventual death.

Spontaneous rupture of HCC is uncommon, especially after embolization.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary liver tumors in the world. In the United States, it is very uncommon for the liver mass to spontaneously rupture, especially if it has already been treated with embolization. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to improve the overall prognosis. Unfortunately, even with treatment, the patient can still rapidly decline. We present a case of a patient who was diagnosed with HCC and received treatment with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 (Y90). Despite this, the patient’s liver mass grew and spontaneously ruptured. Although the patient received additional embolizations for his mass, he still deteriorated and eventually expired.

Figures