Splenectomy followed by hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with hypersplenism and portal hypertension caused by macroglobulinemia

Aim: To describe a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accompanied by hypersplenism and portal hypertension caused by macroglobulinemia, who underwent splenectomy followed by hepatectomy. Case Report: A 74-year-old man was admitted to our Hospital. He had previously developed primary macroglobulinemia, which had been completely cured by chemotherapy. At admission, he had a low platelet count (52×10³/μl), and his liver function was impaired. Imaging showed a 5-cm-sized tumor, an esophageal varix, and splenomegaly, but not liver cirrhosis. The patient underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism and portal hypertension; the weight of his spleen was 2,400 g. After splenectomy, his platelet count increased to 259×10³/μl and his liver function was improved. He safely underwent hepatectomy for HCC. The patient was discharged 14 days later without morbidity. Conclusion: These findings suggest that hepatectomy following splenectomy for hypersplenism and portal hypertension caused by macroglobulinemia, may effectively cure HCC in patients with liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia.