Survival outcome of patients with spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma treated surgically or by transarterial embolization

Comparative analysis among therapeutic modalities in ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma and identification of imaging predictors for survival

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) poses a life-threatening complication with a mortality rate of 25-75%. Treatment aims at achieving hemostasis and includes options such as trans-arterial embolization, perihepatic packing, and hepatic resection. The optimal treatment remains a subject of debate. Our retrospective review evaluates these treatments and investigates imaging's role in prognosis for rHCC patients.

PURPOSE

We aimed to compare survival outcomes among rHCC patients who received transarterial embolization (TAE), surgery (perihepatic packing, hepatectomy), or best supportive care (BSC), while also identifying predictive imaging factors in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients diagnosed with rHCC and admitted to Maharaj Nakorn Chiangmai Hospital between January 2012 and December 2021 were included. We reviewed clinical features, imaging results, treatment modalities, and outcomes. In order to balance pretreatment confounders, inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was employed. Flexible parametric survival regression was utilized to compare survival outcomes and identify imaging factors predicting the survival of rHCC patients. Hazard ratios (HR) and the difference in restricted mean survival time (RMST) were reported.

RESULT

Among the 186 rHCC patients included, we observed 90-day and 1-year mortality rates of 64% and 84%, respectively. Both the TAE and surgery groups exhibited significantly lower 1-year mortality rates compared to BSC. The HR were 0.56 (95% CI 0.33-0.96) for TAE and 0.52 (95% CI 0.28-0.95) for surgery compared to BSC. Both the TAE and surgery also significantly extended the 1-yeaar life expectancy post-initial treatment when compared to BSC, with an RMST difference of + 55.40 days (95% CI 30.18-80.63) for TAE vs. BSC and + 68.43 days (95% CI 38.77-98.09) for surgery vs. BSC. The presence of active contrast extravasation and bleeding in both lobes were independent prognostic factors for 1-year survival.

CONCLUSIONS

TAE and surgical treatments provide comparable survival benefits for rHCC patients, extending survival time by approximately 2 months compared to best supportive care. We strongly recommend active management for all rHCC patients whenever possible.

Comprehensive review of clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) is a life-threatening complication that occurs in 3 % to 15 % of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review aimed to discuss the most recent updates in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis as well as presentation, management, and prognostic factors of rHCC.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted using Medline/PubMed and Web of Science databases with the end of search date being December 1, 2023 regarding rHCC diagnosis, imaging, and management.

RESULTS

Achieving adequate hemostasis and stabilization of the patient remains the primary objective in the management of patients with rHCC. In earlier studies, the mortality rate in the acute phase of rHCC was reported to be 25 % to 75 %. However, more recent studies have demonstrated that transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)/transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) followed by elective hepatectomy in select patients may offer improved survival benefits and decrease perioperative complications compared with TAE/TACE alone or emergent/1-stage hepatectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although the prognosis for rHCC remains the worst among causes of death related to HCC, more recent studies have demonstrated that improved short- and long-term patient outcomes may be achieved through active surveillance efforts for HCC combined with advanced multimodal diagnostic tools and multidisciplinary management strategies.

Predictors and pathways of in-hospital mortality in active vascular contrast extravasation detected on abdominopelvic CT

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify factors influencing in-hospital mortality in adult patients with active vascular contrast extravasation (AVCE) on abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

All consecutive patients with AVCE detected on CT between January 2019 and May 2022 were retrospectively included. Their data were compared through uni- and multivariable analyses between patients with and without in-hospital mortality. Path analysis was utilized to clarify the relationships among factors affecting mortality.

RESULTS

There were 272 patients (60.2 ± 19.4 years, 150 men) included, of whom 70 experienced in-hospital mortality. Multivariable analysis revealed nonsurgery, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4-5 or dialysis, prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT), minimum AVCE length > 8 mm, and a lower rate of packed red cell (PRC) transfusion were identified as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (p = 0.005-0.048). Path analysis demonstrated direct influences of CKD4-5 or dialysis, prolonged PTT, and minimum AVCE length on mortality (coefficients 0.525-0.616; p = 0.009 to < 0.001). PRC transfusion impacted mortality through nonsurgery (coefficient 0.798, p = 0.003) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (coefficients 0.025, p = 0.016), leading to subsequent death. Three AVCE spaces (free, loose, and tight) defined on CT were not directly associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

In adults with AVCE on CT, AVCE size had a direct independent influence on mortality, highlighting the critical role of radiologists in detecting and characterizing this finding. Additionally, CKD4-5 or dialysis and prolonged PTT also directly influenced mortality, while the lower rate of PRC transfusion impacted mortality through nonsurgery and ICU admission.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

In patients with active vascular contrast extravasation (AVCE) on abdominopelvic CT, larger AVCE directly increased in-hospital mortality. Radiologists' detection and characterization of this finding is crucial, along with recognizing factors like CKD4-5, dialysis, and prolonged PTT to improve patient outcomes.

KEY POINTS

Several factors independently predicted in-hospital mortality in patients with abdominopelvic AVCE. Extravasation length > 8 mm was the only imaging marker predictive of in-hospital mortality. Non-imaging factors correlated with in-hospital mortality, and PRC transfusion impacted mortality through nonsurgery and ICU admission pathways.

Oncolytic mineralized bacteria as potent locally administered immunotherapeutics

Oncolytic bacteria can trigger innate immune activity. However, the antitumour efficacy of inactivated bacteria is poor, and attenuated live bacteria pose substantial safety risks. Here we show that intratumourally injected paraformaldehyde-fixed bacteria coated with manganese dioxide potently activate innate immune activity, modulate the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment and trigger tumour-specific immune responses and abscopal antitumour responses. A single intratumoural administration of mineralized Salmonella typhimurium suppressed the growth of multiple types of subcutaneous and orthotopic tumours in mice, rabbits and tree shrews and protected the cured animals against tumour rechallenge. We also show that mineralized bacteria can be administered via arterial embolization to treat orthotopic liver cancer in rabbits. Our findings support the further translational testing of oncolytic mineralized bacteria as potent and safe antitumour immunotherapeutics.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Tyrosinkinase Inhibitors and PD-1 Inhibitors for Spontaneously Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with tyrosinkinase inhibitors (TKI) and PD-1 inhibitors, versus TACE monotherapy for the treatment of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 104 patients with ruptured HCC receiving either combination therapy or TACE monotherapy at two centers between June 2015 and June 2022. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used at a 1:2 ratio to reduce bias between the two groups. The primary outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary outcome measures were the occurrence of adverse events (AEs, Common Terminology Criteria for AEs, version 5.0.) and the peritoneal metastasis rate.

RESULTS

A total of 69 patients were enrolled after PSM, including 23 patients in the combination group and 46 patients in the monotherapy group. The combination group exhibited a significantly longer median OS (553 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 222.6-883.9) compared to the monotherapy group (105 days, 95% CI 81.2-128.7; P < 0.001). Similarly, the combination group showed a better median PFS (356 days, 95% CI 299.5-412.4) compared to the monotherapy group (97 days, 95% CI 75.9-118.1; P < 0.001). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the peritoneal metastasis rate (combination group: 8.6% vs. monotherapy group: 26.1%, P = 0.119). Grade 3 AEs occurred at a rate of 21.7% and 13% in combination and monotherapy groups, respectively. No Grade 4/5 AEs were observed in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that the combination of TACE with TKI and PD-1 inhibitors significantly enhances OS and PFS compared to TACE monotherapy in ruptured HCC patients. Furthermore, this combined approach exhibited an acceptable safety profile.

Clonorchis sinensis on the prognosis of patients with spontaneous rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis

BACKGROUND

We examined the impact of the Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) infection on the survival outcomes of spontaneous rupture Hepatocellular Carcinoma (srHCC) patients undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

Between May 2013 and December 2021, 157 consecutive srHCC patients who underwent hepatectomy were divided into an no C. sinensis group (n = 126) and C. sinensis group (n = 31). To adjust for differences in preoperative characteristics an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was done, using propensity scores. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared before and after IPTW. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine whether the C. sinensis infection was an independent prognostic factor after IPTW.

RESULTS

In original cohort, the no C. sinensis group did not show a survival advantage over the C. sinensis group. After IPTW adjustment, the median OS for the C. sinensis group was 9 months, compared to 29 months for the no C. sinensis group. C. sinensis group have worse OS than no C. sinensis group (p = 0.024), while it did not differ in RFS(p = 0.065). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that C. sinensis infection and lower age were associated with worse OS.

CONCLUSIONS

The C. sinensis infection has an adverse impact on os in srHCC patients who underwent hepatectomy.

Transarterial embolization followed by staged hepatectomy versus emergency hepatectomy for ruptured HCC: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To compare the efficacy and safety between emergency hepatectomy (EH) and emergency transarterial embolization (TAE) followed by staged hepatectomy (SH) in the treatment of spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC).

METHODS

Databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrial.gov, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP) were searched for all relevant comparative studies from January 2000 to October 2020. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled for dichotomous and continuous variables, respectively. Subgroup analyses based on the kind of embolization were conducted. RevMan 5.3 software was adopted for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies with 871 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis, 448 in EH group and 423 in TAE + SH group. No significant difference was observed in successful hemostasis (P = 0.42), postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.12), complication rate (P = 0.08) between EH and TAE + SH group. However, TAE + SH group was associated with shorter operating time (P < 0.00001), fewer perioperative blood loss (P = 0.007), fewer blood transfusion (P = 0.003), lower in-hospital mortality (P < 0.00001) and higher 1-year survival as well as 3-year survival (P < 0.0001; P = 0.003) compared with EH group.

CONCLUSION

Compared with EH, TAE + SH could reduce perioperative operating time, blood loss, blood transfusion, mortality rate and increase the long-term survival rate of the rHCC patients, which may be a better treatment for resectable rHCC.

Meta-analysis of Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival Among Resected Patients with Spontaneous Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Our meta-analysis was performed to explore the prognostic factors for overall survival among post-hepatectomy patients with spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (SRHCC).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were all searched up for relevant studies regarding prognostic factors with SRHCC. RevMan5.3 software and Stata 14.0 software were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of nineteen studies with 1876 resected SRHCC patients were finally identified. Pooled results indicated that preoperative AFP (high vs low) (P = 0.003), concurrent liver cirrhosis (yes vs no) (P = 0.02), preoperative liver function (child A vs non-child A) (P = 0.0007), tumor size (large vs small) (P < 0.00001), tumor number (solitary vs multiple) (P = 0.002), satellite foci (yes vs no) (P = 0.0006), micro-vascular invasion (yes vs no) (P < 0.00001), type of hepatectomy (major or minor) (P = 0.04), surgical margin (R + vs R -) (P < 0.00001), and type of hepatectomy (emergency hepatectomy vs staged hepatectomy) (P = 0.005) were prognostic factors for overall survival among post-hepatectomy SRHCC patients.

CONCLUSION

Apart from some conventional prognostic factors identified in resected patients with SRHCC, numerous prognostic factors have also been unmasked, which might provide clinical reference to stratify patients with different therapeutic regimes.

Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Fatal Outcome in a Patient Taking Direct-Acting Antivirals

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors globally. Many complications are attributed to it, including spontaneous rupture, which is a serious and rare complication that can be life-threatening. Managing and detecting this condition might pose challenges, especially when there is no prior history of liver cirrhosis or tumor. We report on a 57-year-old man followed as an outpatient for chronic hepatitis C who presented to the emergency department for abdominal pain with abdominal distention and jaundice, occurring two months after treatment by direct-acting antiviral (DAA). He was not known to have a liver tumor on the ultrasound performed before the start of treatment. Therefore, the diagnosis of tumor rupture was not very clear. The evolution was fatal, and death occurred quickly. Although the association between DAA treatment and hepatocarcinogenesis and its possible complications is unknown, close monitoring by high-performance imaging is probably required in patients under DAA.

Robotic emergency liver resection of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare complication. The management of this complication needs a stepwise, multidisciplinary approach which considers first of all clinical conditions of the patient and also the possibility of the best curative treatment.

METHODS

We report our experience of an emergency robotic liver resection for a ruptured HCC in an elderly patient. Minimally invasive liver resection is currently recognised as a safe and feasible approach to the treatment of HCC in elderly patients.

RESULTS

Our patient presented haemodynamic stability, which allows us to perform a robotic resection of segment 3. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the application of a robotic platform in an emergency setting for liver resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Rupture of HCC is an uncommon complication, burdened by a high rate of mortality. Its management still remains controversial. Treatment should be individualised taking into consideration the clinical status of the patient, tumour features and possibility of centre therapeutic strategy.

Universal Liver Imaging Lexicon: Imaging Atlas for Research and Clinical Practice

The use of standardized terms in assessing and reporting disease processes has well-established benefits, such as clear communication between radiologists and other health care providers, improved diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility, and the enhancement and facilitation of research. Recently, the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) Steering Committee released a universal liver imaging lexicon. The current version of the lexicon includes 81 vetted and precisely defined terms that are relevant to acquisition of images using all major liver imaging modalities and contrast agents, as well as lesion- and organ-level features. Most terms in the lexicon are applicable to all patients undergoing imaging of the liver, and only a minority of the terms are strictly intended to be used for patients with high risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma. This pictorial atlas familiarizes readers with the liver imaging lexicon and includes discussion of general concepts, providing sample definitions, schematics, and clinical examples for a subset of the terms in the liver imaging lexicon. The authors discuss general, technical, and imaging feature terms used commonly in liver imaging, with the goal of illustrating their use for clinical and research applications. Work of the U.S. Government published under an exclusive license with the RSNA. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Comparison of the prognosis of BCLC stage A ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma patients after undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or hepatectomy: a propensity score-matched landmark analysis

BACKGROUND

At present, the choice of treatment modalities for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma patients in BCLC stage A remains controversial, and this study compared the overall survival of ruptured HCC patients undergoing TACE or hepatectomy.

METHODS

A total of 283 ruptured HCC patients treated at our liver surgery center were included in our study, of which 175 were treated with hepatectomy and 108 were treated with TACE. To reduce selection bias, we used a propensity score matching (PSM) model, which yielded a total of 88 pairs of patients. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to compare the long-term prognosis, and the Landmark method was used to compare the short-term and long-term prognoses of patients after PSM. Finally, we performed subgroup analysis according to whether it met the Milan criteria.

RESULTS

After PSM, in the hepatectomy group, the 1-, 3-, and 5 year OS rates were 73.4%, 45.4%, and 33.9%, respectively. In the TACE group, the 1-, 3-, and 5 year OS rates were 58.5%, 40.6%, and 23.2%, respectively. Within one year, the hepatectomy group had a better prognosis than the TACE group (P = 0.022), but there was no difference in long-term survival(P = 0.936). In the subgroup analysis, in patients who met the Milan criteria, the survival curve indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the survival prognosis between the two groups (P = 0.294) HR = 1.56(0.68-3.59); in the patients beyond the Milan criteria, the survival time was 28.0 months (20.0-34.0) in patients who underwent hepatectomy and 18 months (9.8-26.2) in patients who underwent TACE, and the survival curve indicated a statistically significant difference (P = 0.043) HR = 1.57(1.01-2.43).

CONCLUSION

Our propensity score-matched study found that ruptured HCC patients treated by hepatectomy had a better short-term prognosis than those treated by TACE, but there was no difference in the long-term prognosis between the two treatment groups.

Clinical course and role of embolization in patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

A diverse clinical course after the spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) renders nonstandardized treatment protocols.

Purpose

To evaluate clinical course and role of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with rupture of HCC.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 127 patients who were treated for ruptured HCC at single institution between 2005 and 2014. After multidisciplinary discussion, patients underwent medical management, TAE, emergency surgery or staged surgery. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups based on the intent of treatment: curative and palliative. The rebleeding rate and 1-month and overall survival (OS) were compared between two groups. The incidence and survival of patients with intraperitoneal drop metastasis (IPDM) were also analyzed.

Results

The overall rebleeding rate in patients who underwent TAE was 3.1% (3/96). One-month mortality rate was 6.3% (8/127). The rebleeding and 1-month mortality rates were not significantly different between two groups. OS was significantly higher in the curative treatment group (median: 12.0 vs 2.2 months, p&lt;0.001). Among 96 patients who initially received TAE, ten patients underwent staged operation (10.4%). The median OS for medical management, TAE, emergency surgery and staged surgery was 2.8, 8.7, 19.1 and 71.1 months, respectively. Of all patients, 15.2% developed IPDM mostly within 1 year and their survival was poorer than that of patients without IPDM (median: 6.3 vs. 15.1 months, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

TAE provided effective immediate hemostasis with a low rebleeding rate and may serve as a bridge to elective surgery. IPDM frequently occurred within 1 year and manifested poor survival; thus, close surveillance should be considered for patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC.

Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Do Interventional Radiologists Need to Know?

Rupture of HCC (rHCC) is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and rHCC may lead to a high rate of peritoneal dissemination and affect survival negatively. Treatment for rHCC mainly includes emergency surgery, interventional therapies, and palliative treatment. However, the management of rHCC should be carefully evaluated. For patients with severe bleeding, who are not tolerant to open surgery, quick hemostatic methods such as rupture tissue ablation and TAE/TACE can be performed. We described clinical presentation, prognosis, complication, interventional management, and current evidence of rHCC from the perspective of interventional radiologists. Overall, our review summarized that interventional therapies are necessary for most patients with rHCC to achieve hemostasis, even in some patients with Child–Pugh C. Moreover, TAE/TACE followed by staged hepatectomy is a beneficial treatment for rHCC according to current clinical evidence. TAE/TACE is the first choice for most patients with rHCC, and appropriate interventional treatment may provide staged surgery opportunities for those who are not tolerant to emergency surgery to reach an ideal prognosis.

Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Do Interventional Radiologists Need to Know?

Rupture of HCC (rHCC) is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and rHCC may lead to a high rate of peritoneal dissemination and affect survival negatively. Treatment for rHCC mainly includes emergency surgery, interventional therapies, and palliative treatment. However, the management of rHCC should be carefully evaluated. For patients with severe bleeding, who are not tolerant to open surgery, quick hemostatic methods such as rupture tissue ablation and TAE/TACE can be performed. We described clinical presentation, prognosis, complication, interventional management, and current evidence of rHCC from the perspective of interventional radiologists. Overall, our review summarized that interventional therapies are necessary for most patients with rHCC to achieve hemostasis, even in some patients with Child–Pugh C. Moreover, TAE/TACE followed by staged hepatectomy is a beneficial treatment for rHCC according to current clinical evidence. TAE/TACE is the first choice for most patients with rHCC, and appropriate interventional treatment may provide staged surgery opportunities for those who are not tolerant to emergency surgery to reach an ideal prognosis.

Survival of Patients Subjected to Hepatectomy After Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis of High-quality Propensity Score Matching Studies

Background

The spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with high mortality rates, and liver resection can provide better outcomes than other available treatments. However, the survival length of patients subjected to hepatectomy after spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma remains controversial.

Method

Articles reporting the comparison of the survival outcome between patients with rupture HCC (rHCC) and non-rupture HCC (nrHCC) from the inception until December 31, 2021 by PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, and the Cochrane Library databases were included. The high-quality propensity score matching analysis was used to investigate the impact of rupture on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the rHCC and nrHCC group with no heterogeneity.

Result

A total of 606 patients from six cohort studies were included. The major baseline characteristics of the eligible patients were well balanced between rHCC and nrHCC group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year hazard ratios of DFS were 3.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.54–4.68), 3.63 (95% CI 2.87–4.60), and 3.72 (95% CI 2.93–4.72), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year hazard ratios of OS were 5.01 (95% CI 3.26–7.69), 5.49 (95% CI 4.08–7.39), and 4.20 (95% CI 3.20–5.51), respectively.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis demonstrated that the DSF and OS were significantly shorter in the rHCC group than in the nrHCC group, thus revealing that spontaneous HCC rupture was a predictor of poor survival.

Early-Stage Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Different Tumor Diameters: Small Tumors Have a Better Prognosis

Background and Aim

Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) is classified as T4 according to the TNM staging system with a very poor (does not achieve expected) prognosis, which has always been controversial. This study aimed at assessing the specific impact of different tumor diameters on the posttreatment prognosis of BCLC stage 0/A rHCC patients.

Methods

Data from 258 patients with BCLC stage 0/A HCC treated in our center from January 2008 to December 2017 were collected, including 143 rHCC patients and 115 patients with non-ruptured HCC (nrHCC). With the help of X-tile software, we determined the cutoff value of the tumor diameter in patients with rHCC. Using 8 cm as the cutoff, we divided rHCC patients into Small-rHCC (n = 96) and Large-rHCC (n = 47) groups, compared the prognoses of the S-rHCC and L-rHCC groups, as well as the prognoses of the two groups with the nrHCC group using the Kaplan–Meier method, and screened the prognostic factors of rHCC patients using the multivariate Cox risk model.

Results

The OS of the S-rHCC group was significantly higher than that of the L-rHCC group [HR = 2.41 (1.60–3.63)], and the OS of the nrHCC group was comparable to that of the S-rHCC group (P = 0.204). In patients treated with surgery only, OS and RFS were also comparable in the S-rHCC nrHCC group. Meanwhile, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the main method of treatment were also prognostic factors for OS in patients with rHCC.

Conclusions

Ruptured HCC with a relatively small diameter (≤8 cm) can also achieve the same prognosis as nrHCC patients after aggressive treatment. It is also not recommended to include all patients with rHCC in stage T4.

Development of a prognostic score for recommended transarterial chemoembolization candidates with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used for treating the spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), no existing model exists for predicting survival. The aim of this study was thus to develop and validate a nomogram for estimating the prognosis in patients with ruptured HCC upon undergoing TACE treatment.

METHODS

This study included 55 patients with spontaneously ruptured HCC who underwent TACE treatment between January 2015 and April 2019. The diagnosis of spontaneous HCC rupture was based on the disruption of the peritumoral liver capsule with surrounding fluid in the perihepatic region. The prognostic nomogram was constructed using the independent predictors assessed by the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The median overall survival (OS) was 6.4 months, with 6-month and 1-year survival rates of 52.7% and 41.8%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the size of the largest tumor, total bilirubin (TBIL) levels, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were associated with the OS of patients. Multivariate analysis suggested that TBIL levels (HR =0.358, P=0.036) and diameter of the largest tumor (HR =1.012, P=0.044) were independent prognostic factors for predicting the OS. Based on these variables, we developed and validated a nomogram for the risk stratification of HCC rupture after TACE treatment for individual patients. According to the nomogram risk assessment, we were able to evaluate the approximate 1- and 2-year survival rates based on patients' tumor diameter and TBIL level after TACE treatment of ruptured HCC. The concordance index for the OS prediction was 0.748 (95% CI: 0.691-0.805). This newly developed nomogram represents an intuitive tool for predicting the OS of patients with ruptured HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that TBIL levels and diameter of the largest tumor were independent prognostic factors for predicting the OS of ruptured HCC. This study may help maximize favorable TACE treatment outcomes.

Surgical resection could provide better outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and tumor rupture

We investigated the outcomes of patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identified the optimal treatment modality for such patients. We retrospectively enrolled 91 patients with treatment-naive HCC and tumor rupture at diagnosis, including 38 patients who underwent surgical resection (SR) alone, 28 patients who were treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) only, 20 patients who had a sequential combination therapy of TACE and SR, and 5 patients who received best supportive care. After a median follow-up of 13.1 months, 54 patients died. The cumulative 5 years overall survival (OS) rates were 55.1% and 0% in the SR group and non-SR group, respectively (p < 0.001). Non-SR therapy was associated with poorer OS according to a multivariate analysis with a hazard ratio of 6.649 (95% confidence interval 3.581–12.344, p < 0.001). Moreover, whether patients received TACE or not did not impact the OS in both the SR group and the non-SR group. In conclusion, for patients with HCC and tumor rupture at the time of diagnosis, SR could lead to better prognoses than non-surgery treatment modalities. Moreover, a sequential combination of TACE and SR had similar clinical outcomes when compared to SR alone.

Ruptured Massive Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cured by Transarterial Chemoembolization

Spontaneous tumor rupture is a serious but rare complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has a low survival rate. Here, we report a case of massive HCC that ruptured and was treated successfully with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). A 55-year-old man with abdominal pain was diagnosed with a 12-cm-wide ruptured HCC at segment 8. The overall liver function was scored as Child-Pugh A, but the single nodule tumor had ruptured; therefore, TACE treatment was initiated. After the first TACE treatment, residual tumors were found; thus, secondary TACE was performed 5 months later. No new lesions or extrahepatic metastases were found 16 months after the first TACE treatment, so hepatic resection was performed for curative treatment. The postoperative pathology results did not reveal any cancer cells; hence, TACE alone resulted in a cure. We report this case because the cure has been maintained for more than 3 years after resection.

Early versus Delayed Hepatectomy for Spontaneously Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Here, we aimed to compare early hepatectomy (EH) with delayed hepatectomy (DH) as a treatment for spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Several databases were systematically searched for eligible studies that compared DH with EH for spontaneously ruptured HCC treatment. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed systematically, and the reported data were aggregated statistically, using the RevMan v5.3 software.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included, with a total of 385 patients, comprising of 224 EH cases and 161 DH cases. Compared with the EH group, incidence of intraoperative bleeding [mean difference (MD), 353.93; 95% CI, 230.04-447.83; P < 0.00001], volume of intraoperative blood transfusion (MD, 420.61; 95% CI, 354.40-486.81, P < 0.00001), and 30-day mortality rate (OR, 14.94; 95% CI, 1.76-126.66; P = 0.01) were significantly lower in the DH group. Furthermore, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were significantly higher in the DH group [1-year：hazard ratio (HR), 1.76; 95% CI, 1.06-2.94; P = 0.03; 2-year：HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02-2.25; P = 0.04; 3-year: HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.06-2.21; P = 0.02]. There was no difference between the groups in the 5-year survival rate (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.92-2.11; P = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

For resectable spontaneously ruptured HCC, DH could reduce intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, and 30-day mortality rate and increase the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates, endowing the patients with greater short- and long-term benefits during and following the surgery.

A Meta-analysis of TAE/TACE Versus Emergency Surgery in the Treatment of Ruptured HCC

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TAE/TACE versus emergency surgery (ES) for spontaneous rupture of HCC (rHCC).

METHODS

Eight databases (Web of Science, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrial.gov, Wanfang, CNKI and VIP) were searched to obtain all related literature from the inception dates to October 2019. Subgroup analyses based on the kind of study design and kind of embolization were conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies comparing TAE/TACE with ES were eligible. A total of 974 rHCC participants (485 participants treated with TACE/TAE and 489 participants treated with ES) were included in the present meta-analysis. TAE/TACE group was associated with lower risk of complications (OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.57; P < 0.0001) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.94; P = 0.03) compared with ES group. In addition, no significant difference in successful hemostasis (OR = 1.67; 95% CI, 0.85-3.28; P = 0.13) and 1-year survival (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 0.79-1.48; P = 0.64) between TAE/TACE and ES groups was demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

TAE/TACE had comparable outcomes to ES in terms of successful hemostasis and 1-year survival. Meanwhile, TAE/TACE was significantly superior to ES in terms of complications and in-hospital mortality. Therefore, TAE/TACE may be recommended as a preferable treatment for rHCC.

Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation and distilled water peritoneal lavage for spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose

Spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (srHCC) is known to be a life-threatening complication with poor prognosis. Although there are various treatment modalities, there is no definite treatment guideline. The purpose of this study was to review the surgical outcome and prognosis of srHCC treated with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and distilled water peritoneal lavage (DWPL).

Methods

From March 2012 to October 2018, 9 patients with srHCC who underwent emergent surgery were reviewed. After hematoma removal, intraoperative RFA and DWPL were applied to all patients. Hepatectomy was performed if necessary. Patients with multiple tumors, distant metastasis, and vascular tumor involvement in radiologic imaging were excluded.

Results

Six of 9 patients with diameters less than 7 cm were able to obtain hemostasis using RFA alone (RFA group). However, 3 patients with a tumor size of more than 10 cm underwent liver resection because they could not obtain hemostasis with RFA (hepatectomy only group). The RFA group had shorter operation time (148.3 ± 31.7 minutes vs. 251.7 ± 20.2 minutes, P < 0.05) and less red blood cell transfusion (5.8 ± 2.5 packs vs. 24.0 ± 11.5 packs, P < 0.05) than the hepatectomy only group. There was no peritoneal metastasis at long-term follow-up in the RFA group. Five-year recurrence-free survival rate was 0% in both groups. However, 5-year overall survival rate was better in the RFA group (83.3% vs. 0%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Intraoperative RFA and DWPL are easy to perform and theoretically the best methods for managing relatively small srHCC.

Retrospective analysis of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment for spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

Spontaneous rupture is one of the complications of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with a high mortality rate. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used in patients with ruptured liver tumors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the benefits and safety of conventional TACE and the disease prognosis following TACE and surgery with regard to the progression of spontaneously ruptured HCC. The clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed with spontaneous rupture of HCC were retrospectively reviewed. The majority of adverse reactions that occurred following treatment were Grade 2 or below. Grade 3/4 events occurred in 20 patients (14.3%), which included gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cardiac failure, pulmonary embolism, shock and recurrent tumor rupture. All of these patients recovered and were discharged following symptomatic and supportive treatment, with the exception of two cases of severe hemorrhagic shock and hepatic failure prior to TACE treatment. These patients did not survive during the period of hospitalization. Multivariate analysis identified that a maximum tumor size >10 cm and a high serum total bilirubin level >30 µmol/l were independent factors for determining overall patient survival rate. Additionally, the overall survival rates at 1, 6 and 12 months were 92.3, 53.8 and 46.2% in the TACE group and 100, 87.1 and 54.8% in the surgery group, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1 and 6 months following TACE were lower than those of the surgery group (P<0.05). However, the overall survival rates at 12 months were similar (P>0.05). Patients in the TACE group had a shorter hospital admission compared with those in the resection group (median 7 vs. 13 days; P<0.01). Therefore, the data demonstrated that conventional TACE therapy was safe and effective for the treatment of spontaneously ruptured HCC. In addition, this type of therapy conferred a similar long-term survival rate with that of open surgery.

Abandonment of surveillance, followed by emergency surgery for a second spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops in the presence of chronic liver disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming a frequent cause of HCC in developed regions. Spontaneous rupture of HCC (rHCC) is a potentially life-threatening complication of a tumor. The patient's compliance with surveillance after liver resection is vital for the prevention of rHCC.

Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review of Literature

Approximately 700,000 people die of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) each year worldwide, making it the third leading cause of cancer related deaths. Rupture is a potentially life-threatening complication of HCC. The incidence of HCC rupture is higher in Asia and Africa than in Europe. In Asia approximately 10% of patients with a diagnosis of HCC die due to rupture each year. Spontaneous rupture is the third most common cause of death due to HCC after tumor progression and liver failure. The diagnosis of rupture in patients without history of cirrhosis or HCC may be difficult. The most common symptom of ruptured HCC is abdominal pain (66-100%). Shock at presentation can be seen in 33-90% of cases; abdominal distension is reported in 33%. Abdominal paracentesis documenting hemoperitoneum is a reliable test to provisionally diagnose rupture of HCC, it can be seen in up to 86% of clinically suspected cases. The diagnoses can be confirmed by computed tomography scan or ultrasonography, or both in 75% of cases. Careful pre-treatment evaluation is essential to decide the best treatment option. Management of ruptured HCC involves multi-disciplinary care where hemostasis remains a primary concern. Earlier studies have reported a mortality rate of 25-75% in the acute phase of ruptured HCC. However, recent studies have reported a significant decrease in the incidence of mortality. There is also a decrease in the incidence of ruptured HCC due to improved surveillance and early detection of HCC. Transarterial Embolization is the least invasive method to effectively induce hemostasis in the acute stage with a success rate of 53-100%. Hepatic resection in the other hand has the advantage of achieving hemostasis and in the same go offers a potentially curative resection in selected patients.

Peritoneal metastasis after emergency hepatectomy and delayed hepatectomy for spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Delayed hepatectomy is the preferred approach for spontaneous rupture of resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, delayed surgery for ruptured HCC may increase the risk of peritoneal metastasis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the pooled data obtained from 44 HCC patients with spontaneously ruptured hemorrhage, These patients were divided into emergency group and delayed group. Perioperative events, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates, and the incidence of recurrent and metastatic disease were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

Median survival time was 17.0 months in the emergency group vs. 28.0 months in the delayed group. In the emergency group, the 6-month, 1-year and 3-year OS rates were 58.8%, 57.6% and 11.5%. In the delayed hepatectomy group, the 6-month, 1-year and 3-year OS rates of were 84.3%, 77.5% and 37.8%. The incidence of peritoneal metastasis was higher in delayed group than in the emergency group, but the difference was not statistically significant (40.7% vs. 35.3%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Delayed hepatectomy warrants better short-term prognosis, compared with emergency hepatectomy, for HCC patients with spontaneously ruptured hemorrhage. Delayed hepatectomy does not increase the possibility of postoperative peritoneal metastasis.

Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Child with Budd-Chiari Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon complication described in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

CASE CHARACTERISTICS

A 12-year-old boy with Budd-Chiari syndrome, who was earlier treated with Transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS), presented with acute onset hemoperitoneum and hypotension.

OUTCOME

It was diagnosed to be a case of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma.

MESSAGE

Successful TIPS may not prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and children with Budd Chiari syndrome should be monitored for the same.

Update on Embolization Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of the review is to summarize the latest applications for embolotherapy in the management of patients with HCC according to BCLC stage.

RECENT FINDINGS

While traditionally reserved for patients with unresectable HCC and stage B disease, there is an important role for embolization therapies in earlier stage patients as an adjunct to ablation, bridging, or downstaging therapy, as a means to improve safety of resection, and potentially as an arterial ablative option in the case of radioembolization. Newer applications of radioembolization such as radiation segmentectomy have the potential to provide cure in localized unifocal disease, and transarterial chemoembolization-portal vein embolization and radiation lobectomy may provide a combination of treatment and future liver remnant hypertrophy for planned hepatic resection. There is also an increasing role for embolization in the treatment of stage C disease, and recent data suggest it can be used in combination with sorafenib with the potential for survival benefit over sorafenib alone, even in the case of portal vein tumor thrombus. Embolization therapies play an increasingly important role in patients with BCLC stage A-C hepatocellular carcinoma. While different therapies may be offered on a patient-specific basis, there are limited prospective RCT data to support superiority of one technique over another.

Liver radiofrequency ablation as emergency treatment for a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Hemoperitoneum is a possible complication of hepatocellular carcinoma that may require emergency surgery as an alternative to radiological locoregional therapies.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case report of a 78-year-old white man with alcoholic-related cirrhosis and a multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed multiple and bilateral foci of bleeding from broken liver cancer. He was urgently transferred from our radiology unit to our operating room for massive hemoperitoneum. A middle line laparotomy detected a massive hemoperitoneum. His liver was cirrhotic and completely subverted by a tumor; there were two spontaneous bleeding lacerations on segments II and IV, which were uncontrollable with conventional hemostatic techniques. Therefore, it was decided to carry out the coagulation of the multiple vascular afferents of each single mass by means of radiofrequency ablation cycles performed circumferentially on both nodules for a total of 40 minutes. Hemostasis was achieved; the radiofrequency ablation controlled the bleeding from his ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma. He was transferred to our intensive care unit for postoperative monitoring in terms of hemodynamic stability. On postoperative day 2 he was discharged from our intensive care unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Multifocal bleeding hepatocellular carcinoma still has an extremely high mortality. The angiographic control of multiple bilateral bleeding lesions can be extremely difficult and can be contraindicated by the location of the lesions and by the overall clinical condition of the patient. In this case, treatment with radiofrequency ablation has proven to be effective in the control of multiple and bilateral hepatic lesions. This particular technique allowed us to attack the lesion at the level of the vascular pedicle in order to control the bleeding.

Metabolic imaging for guidance of curative treatment of isolated pelvic implantation metastasis after resection of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-threatening complication and its prognosis is significantly poor because of the high recurrence rate after initial hepatectomy. Resection of isolated extrahepatic metastasis of HCC has been advocated to obtain a possibility of long-term survival. However, it is a challenge for clinicians to detect implantation metastasis of spontaneously ruptured HCC. Accurate re-staging plays the most important role in making a decision on isolated metastasis resection. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is useful in detecting intra-abdominal implantation metastasis from a variety of malignancies and shows superior accuracy to conventional imaging modalities in determining the location of metastasis. We present one patient with a new isolated pelvic implantation metastasis detected by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and pathologically confirmed by PET/CT-guided percutaneous biopsy, who had a history of resection of spontaneously ruptured HCC two years ago. The patient’s condition was stable at the 6-mo follow-up after resection of the isolated pelvic metastasis.

Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatic Metastasis from Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

A 58-year-old man with advanced-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma presented with fatigue and dyspnea. Examination revealed tachycardia (102 b/min) with mild tenderness in right upper quadrant. His hemoglobin (Hb) was 7.9 g/dL (10 days prior to presentation 12.2 g/dL), International normalized ratio (INR), platelet count was normal, and the stool guaiac test was negative. On admission, abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed hepatic metastatic lesion with a rupture and hemoperitoneum communicating to the subdiaphragmatic space. This rapid progression of anemia along with presenting symptoms and CT imaging were attributed to diagnosis of spontaneous rupture of liver metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patient received blood transfusion and hemoglobin was monitored in successive intervals. His general condition and anemia improved with conservative management and he was discharged in 3 days. Repeated CT after 4 months showed resolving hemoperitoneum and stable hemoglobin levels. The patient deceased 9 months after being diagnosed. A literature search revealed limited data regarding the incidence and management of spontaneous rupture of metastatic lesion secondary to pancreatic adenocarcinoma which has been managed conservatively and thus we are reporting our experience.

Gelatin sponge microparticles for the treatment of the spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma hemorrhage

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma hemorrhage is life-threatening. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the effect of gelatin sponge microparticles (GSMs) of various diameters on the treatment of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma hemorrhage. GSMs serve as embolization agents by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and the current study analyzed their safety and efficacy. Data from a total of 13 cases of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma hemorrhage, who were treated with GSM-TACE at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University (Dalian, China) between August 2010 and June 2014, were collected. Post-operative complications were classified according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria. Review computed tomography was conducted 1, 3 and 6 months after GSM-TACE treatment in order to determine the occurrence of re-bleeding; the tumor response was evaluated based on the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors and the expression levels of α-feroprotein. The patients were followed-up for 1-6 months (average, 5.15±1.67 months). Following GSM-TACE treatment, 13 cases reached successful hemostasis without technical complications. The survival rates 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment were 76.9 (10/13), 61.5 (8/13) and 53.8% (7/13), respectively; the objective response rates were 61.6, 53.9 and 38.5%, respectively. The primary post-operative complications were pain (100%), nausea and vomiting (69.2%), and fever (53.8%). Among the 13 patients, 2 cases underwent surgical excision 10 and 30 days after GSM-TACE, and 1 case experienced re-bleeding 3 months after treatment, after which the patient received a second treatment with TACE and successful achieved hemostasis. In conclusion, GSM-TACE of various diameters is a safe and effective method in the treatment of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma hemorrhage. GSM-TACE is able to achieve immediate hemostasis and improves the survival rate of patients, thus creating favorable conditions for follow-up treatment.

Treatment outcomes of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma with hemorrhagic shock: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous rupture is one of the most fatal complications of HCC. The incidence of HCC still remains a significant health problem in Eastern Asia. Many studies have shown that the in-hospital or 30-day mortality rates are as high as 25-100 %. It is often difficult to stratify these patients based on clinical manifestations and biochemical data, for deciding on an appropriate treatment strategy, especially when the patient's hemodynamic status is unstable. This study aimed to explore the clinical outcomes of treatment of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma with hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty two patients with hemorrhagic shock secondary to spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma were included in this retrospective study. The therapeutic methods included conservative treatment, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and hepatectomy. The outcomes in terms of 30 day and 1 year survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty five (21.6 %) received only conservative management, TAE was performed in 48 (29.6 %) and partial hepatectomy (emergency and staged) in 106 (65.4 %) patients. The 30-day survival rate was lower in patients receiving conservative treatment (8.6 %) than in those receiving either hepatectomy or TAE (88.2 %; P < 0.001). Conservative treatment was associated with poorer long-term survival (0 % at 1 year) when compared to those receiving either hepatectomy or TAE (54.3 % at 1 year; P < 0.001). The survival rates at 30 days and 1 year were 92.5 % and 59.4 % for the patients who underwent hepatectomy, which were significantly higher (66.7 and 28.6 % respectively) than those receiving TAE alone (P = 0.003 and P = 0.009, respectively). Multivariate Cox-regression analysis showed that hepatectomy and TAE were significant protective factors for survival as compared with conservative treatment (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Partial hepatectomy, tended to provide better survival than transcatheter arterial embolization alone or conservative treatment in the management of patients with hemorrhagic shock secondary to spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Impact of spontaneous tumor rupture on prognosis of patients with T4 hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Compare the outcomes of three groups of patients with T4 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): tumor rupture with shock (RS group), tumor rupture without shock (R group), and no tumor rupture (NR group).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 221 patients with T4 HCC from 2010 to 2012. The clinical background and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 18.1%; overall median survival time was 4 months. The NR group were more likely to have multiple and infiltrative tumors (P < 0.001). Relative to the NR group, the R + RS group had better survival rates at 6 months (49.2% vs. 32.2%), 1 year (35.3% vs. 21.0%), 3 years (22.5% vs. 11.0%), and 5 years (17.7% vs. 5.5%) (P = 0.010). Patients in the RS group had a higher in-hospital mortality rate, but significantly better long-term survival than the NR and R group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that Child-Pugh class B or C, presence of portal venous thrombosis, and absence of shock were significantly associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Patients with tumor rupture and shock had worse in-hospital survival. However, patients without decompensated liver cirrhosis and portal venous thrombosis, and eligible for curative treatment had favorable long-term outcome. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:789-795. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Surgical Oncology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Damage Control Surgery for Hepatocellular Cancer Rupture in an Elderly Patient: Survival and Quality of Life

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare emergency condition with high mortality rate. Successful management depends on patients' hemodynamic condition upon presentation and comorbidities, correct diagnosis, HCC status, liver function, and future liver remnant, as well as available sources. There is still a debate in the literature concerning the best approach in this devastating complication. Nevertheless, the primary goal should be a definitive bleeding arrest. In most cases, patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC present with hemodynamic instability, due to hemoperitoneum, necessitating an emergency treatment modality. In such cases, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) should be the treatment of choice. Emergency liver resection is an option when TAE fails or in cases with preserved liver function and limited tumors. Otherwise, damage control strategies, as in liver trauma, are a reasonable alternative. We report a case of an elderly patient with hemoperitoneum and hypovolemic shock from spontaneous rupture of undiagnosed HCC, who was treated successfully by emergency surgery and damage control approach.

Patients with spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma benefit from staged surgical resection after successful transarterial embolization

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after successful transarterial embolization (TAE) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate its efficacy in a series of cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined ruptured HCC cases from Jan 2000 to Dec 2008; all of these 126 cases received TAE as the initial therapy. Subsequently, 74 cases received staged surgical resection, and the remaining 52 cases underwent repeated TACE. The baseline demographic data, tumor characteristics, and long term survival were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

The demographic and baseline characteristics were comparable between the hepatic resection and TACE groups; furthermore, no significant difference in the tumor characteristics was detected between the two groups. The differences in in-hospital, 30- day and 90-day mortality between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). However, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 85.1%, 63.5%, and 37.8%, respectively, in the hepatic resection group, which were significantly higher than those in the TACE group (69.2%, 46.2%, and 17.3%, respectively, P=0.004). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that these patients benefitted from hepatic resection compared with TACE with respect to long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Staged hepatic resection after TAE is an effective treatment that results in superior long-term survival to repeated TACE.

Huge hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple intrahepatic metastases: An aggressive multimodal treatment

INTRODUCTION

Huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) possesses a potential risk for spontaneous rupture, which leads to a life-threatening complication with a high mortality rate. In addition, a large HCC is frequently accompanied by intrahepatic metastases.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We describe, the case of a 74-year-old woman with a huge extrahepatically expanding HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastases who was treated by liver resection with repeated transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). To prevent tumor rupture or bleeding, we performed right hepatectomy. After the operation, TACE was applied for multiple intrahepatic metastases in the remnant liver. Furthermore, the elevated protein induced vitamin K absence (PIVKA II) level had decreased to limits within the normal range. Three months after the first TACE, computed tomography revealed several recurrences in the liver. TACE was applied for the second and third time and the tumors were well controlled.

DISCUSSION

Although, liver resection is occasionally performed for patients with huge HCC to avoid spontaneous tumor rupture, only surgical approach might not be sufficient for such advanced HCC. To achieve long-term survival, it is necessary to control the residual intrahepatic tumors. We could control multiple intrahepatic metastases with repeated TACEs after hepatectomy.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal treatment involving hepatectomy and TACE might be a good treatment strategy for patients with huge HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastases if the tumors are localized in the liver without distant or peritoneal metastasis.

Prognostic factors of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic factors in patients with spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: Seventy-nine patients experiencing spontaneous rupture of HCC between April 2004 and August 2014 were enrolled in this study. The clinical features, treatment modalities and outcomes were reviewed. The statistical methods used in this work included univariate analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank tests, and multivariate analysis using a Cox regression hazard model.

RESULTS: Of the 79 patients with HCC rupture, 17 (21.5%) underwent surgery, 32 (40.5%) underwent transarterial embolization (TAE), and 30 (38%) received conservative treatment. The median survival time was 125 d, and the mortality rate at 30 d was 27.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that lesion length (HR = 1.46, P < 0.001), lesion number (HR = 1.37, P = 0.042), treatment before tumor rupture (HR = 4.36, P = 0.019), alanine transaminase levels (HR = 1.0, P = 0.011), bicarbonate levels (HR = 1.18, P < 0.001), age (HR = 0.96, P = 0.026), anti-tumor therapy during the follow-up period (HR = 0.21, P = 0.008), and albumin levels (HR = 0.89, P = 0.010) were independent prognostic factors of survival after HCC rupture. The Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage was also an important prognostic factor; the median survival times for BCLC stages A, B and C were 251, 175 and 40 d, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Anti-tumor therapy during the follow-up period, without a history of anti-tumor therapy prior to HCC rupture, small tumor length and number, and early BCLC stage are the most crucial predictors associated with satisfactory overall survival. Other factors play only a small role in overall survival.

Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mimicking ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Several medical conditions that mimic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been reported previously, but acute abdominal disease mimicking STEMI is rare.

CASE REPORT

We report on a 72-year-old man who presented to the emergency department (ED) with epigastric pain. Meanwhile, STEMI with shock developed. Anticoagulation medication and emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were arranged in a timely manner. However, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rupture was the true cause of the ST-segment elevation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case report highlights the fact that acute myocardial infarction is not the only cause of ST-segment elevation. HCC rupture should be one of the differential diagnoses.

Treatment of spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: A single-center study

Objectives: Spontaneous rupture of hepatocarcinoma (HCC) is a fatal complication of advanced HCC and is associated with poor prognosis. However, there is no consensus on the best approach to treat hemoperitoneum due to ruptured HCC. In this paper, we evaluate and discuss the outcomes of different treatment methods employed at our center for ruptured HCC.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 132 patients diagnosed with ruptured HCC at our hospital from January 2003 to December 2012 and evaluated and compared the outcomes of five treatment methods for ruptured HCC: conservative treatment, surgical hemostasis, transarterial embolization (TAE), and one- and two-stage resections.

Results: There was no significant difference in the median survival time between the conservative treatment and surgical hemostasis groups. Patients in the TAE alone group had a better prognosis than those in the conservative treatment and surgical hemostasis groups. The survival time of the tumor resection group was obviously better than that of the conservative treatment, surgical hemostasis, and TAE alone groups, but no significant difference was observed between the one-stage and two-stage resection groups.

Conclusions: One-stage hepatectomy is a better option for patients with preserved liver function, whereas TAE is a better option for those with poorly preserved liver function.