Taken together, macrophage-derived MMP-9 and MMP-2 were closely related to the rupture of the FC of HCC and subsequently led to the migration and invasion of the tumor cells through the ruptured area of FC to the para cancer. It is suggested that when performing surgical resection, it is necessary to expand the range of tumor resection for patients with ruptured FC and hence reduce the possibility of recurrence and metastasis in HCC patients.