Long-term survival in a patient with repeated resections for lung metastasis after hepatectomy for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

Kai-Lun Shih¹ , Yang-Yuan Chen¹ , Tsung-Han Teng² and Maw-Soan Soon¹

¹Department of Gastroenterology Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan

²Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan

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Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:222doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-222


Published:	30 June 2008

Abstract

Introduction

Tumor rupture and pulmonary metastasis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are both associated with poor prognosis and treatment strategies are controversial.

Case presentation

Here we report a 50-year-old man with survival of over 90 months after undergoing an extended right lobectomy for a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma and then repeated resections for pulmonary metastasis during the followup period.

Conclusion

This case report shows that surgical resection can be an effective treatment for patients with both ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma and pulmonary recurrences.