Taiwanese woman survives ruptured liver cancer, massive bleeding

A 56-year-old woman in Taiwan, a carrier of Hepatitis B, was rushed to Fengyuan Hospital in Taichung after experiencing severe abdominal pain and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Upon arrival, she was in shock due to massive internal bleeding caused by a ruptured 6-centimeter malignant liver tumor.

Dr. Yuan Tian-min, head of surgery at Fengyuan Hospital, explained that liver cancer rupture is a dangerous complication that can lead to rapid blood loss, shock, and death. He noted that liver cancer is a common malignancy in Taiwan, often detected in late stages due to the organ's "silent" nature.

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Liver cancer rupture and bleeding can cause patients to go into shock and even die due to massive blood loss in a short period.

Emergency medical teams stabilized the patient's vital signs before performing an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan, confirming active bleeding from the liver tumor. An emergency transcatheter arterial embolization successfully controlled the bleeding. Further assessment revealed the patient's liver function was good, and she was a suitable candidate for surgery.

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The liver is known as the 'silent organ'; liver cancer often has no obvious symptoms in its early stages, and many patients are diagnosed in the middle or late stages.

The patient then underwent a 3D 4K laparoscopic liver tumor resection. This minimally invasive procedure, aided by high-resolution imaging, allowed for precise identification of blood vessels and structures, enhancing surgical safety and leading to a faster recovery with smaller incisions.

Following the surgery, the patient recovered well and was discharged two weeks later. Follow-up CT scans and AFP tests showed no signs of recurrence, allowing her to return to normal life. Dr. Yuan emphasized that while liver cancer rupture was historically associated with poor prognosis, advancements in interventional and minimally invasive surgery offer good long-term survival rates and quality of life when treated promptly.

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With advancements in interventional treatment and minimally invasive surgery, good long-term survival rates and quality of life can still be achieved if the golden treatment time is seized.