Hepatic cell adenomas, spontaneous liver rupture, and oral contraceptives

During the past decade, an increasing number of hepatic cell adenomas have been reported. Sppntaneous rupture, a life-threatening complication of this rare tumor, has been noted more frequently. Eight patients with hepatic cell adenomas have been treated at our center. Three patients first developed symptoms from hemoperitoneum. Palpable tumors were discovered in three asymptomatic patients during routine examinations. Two patients had upper abdominal pain from intrahepatic hemorrhage. All patients were young women using oral contraceptive agents. Emergent hepatic lobectomy was performed in the three patients with rupture. The other five patients underwent selective angiographic studies, prior to elective liver resections. All survived operation and have done well since. The increased incidence of hepatic cell adenomas may be related to the use of oral contraceptive agents.