Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma following chemoembolization:a western experience

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a recommended first line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serious complications such as neutropenic sepsis and hepatic decompensation are well known, but rupture of HCC following TACE is a rare and potentially fatal complication. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of ruptured HCC following TACE and the associated risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using our liver database with "chemoembolization", "ruptured HCC" covering the patients who received chemoembolization from January 1995 to December 2005. There were no exclusions. RESULTS: A total of 294 patients received chemoemboliza- tion in 530 sessions during the 10-year period. Of these, 2 ruptured following treatment (incidence 0.68%). The mean age was 65 years and the interval between the treatment and rupture was 2 and 24 days. The common factors were male sex, large tumor size (range 11-13 cm), and exophytic tumor growth. One patient died 2 days after rupture with hepatic decompensation while the second is alive after a 6-month follow up without tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Ruptured HCC following TACE is a rare but serious complication. Large tumor size, male sex, and exophytic growth of tumor may be predisposing factors for rupture.