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

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. © 2008 Shih et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.