Rupture and intra-peritoneal bleeding of a hepatocellular carcinoma after a transarterial chemoembolization procedure: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a well accepted treatment for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While minor complications involve 10% of all patients, severe complications are rare.


METHODS
We describe a case of a 90-year-old male with a large, superficial HCC who underwent TACE. He had a significant intraperitoneal bleed secondary to tumor rupture immediately following the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor size and superficial location must be considered risk factors for tumor rupture and related complications.
Reso
Artan
A
University of Calgary, Department of Surgery, Foothills Hospital, 1403-29 St N,W, T2N 2T9, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ball.chad@gmail.com.
Ball
Chad G
CG
Sutherland
Francis R
FR
Bathe
Oliver
O
Dixon
Elijah
E