Spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma on non-cirrhotic liver: A prospective case series

Background and aims

Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon complication, and there are scarce data about non-cirrhotic patients. Tumor treatment is not standardized and the risk of peritoneal dissemination is unclear. Aim: we analyzed the treatment and survival in patients with rHCC on non-cirrhotic liver.

Methods

One hundred and forty-one non-cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by histology were included in a multicenter prospective registry (2018–2022). Seven of them (5%) presented with hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture.

Results

Liver disease was associated in three patients (42.9%). A single nodule was detected in three cases (42.9%). One patient had vascular invasion and none extrahepatic spread.

Initial hemostatic therapy and sequential treatment was individualized. Patients with single nodule were treated: resection (one case) with recurrence at 4 months treated with TACE and sorafenib. TACE/TAE followed by surgery (two cases) one in remission 43 months later, the other had liver recurrence at 18 months and was transplanted. Patients with multiple lesions were treated: TAE/emergency surgery and subsequent systemic therapy (two cases), one received lenvatinib (1-year survival) and the other sorafenib (5-month survival). TAE and surgery with subsequent systemic therapy (one case). Initial hemostatic surgery, dying on admission (one case).

No patient developed intraperitoneal metastasis. All patients with multiple lesions died by tumor. The 3-year survival rate was 42.9%.

Conclusions

Initial hemostasis was achieved in all patients by TAE/TACE or surgery. Subsequent treatment was individualized, based on tumor characteristics, regardless of rupture. Long-time remission could be achieved in single nodule patients.