The role of hepatic arterial embolization in the management of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma.

Fifteen patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinomas and intraperitoneal bleeding were considered for hepatic arterial embolization. Embolization was attempted in nine patients (60%) with patent or partially patent portal veins. Successful occlusion of the feeding tumour vessels was achieved in eight patients (53%) with six patients (40%) surviving more than 3 months compared to three survivors in the non-embolized group, all of whom had total occluded portal veins. Prognosis depends on the underlying liver function with total serum bilirubin levels of survivors significantly lower than those patients who died (P < 0.01). Embolization was tolerated well in those patients with partial portal vein occlusion. Selective tumour embolization should be the initial treatment of choice in these severely ill patients who have reasonable hepatic function.