Objective To study retrospectively the curative effect of emergent transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)on ruptured liver cancer with hemorrhage. Methods Twenty-three patients with rupture of liver cancer were emergent treated with TAE for massive hemorrhage. Results Twenty-two patients were treated by TAE effectively with good hemostasis and without recurrence of bleeding as well as liver failure, except one referred for surgery due to anomalous vascular route leading to failure of catheterization. Nine of 22 patients accepted more than one time of TAE according to the curative effect and progress of the disease, but reduction of tumor size or necrosis could be achieved in all these patients. Conclusions Emergent TAE is an effective treatment for ruptured liver cancer with hemorrhage, having good effect of hemostasis and providing the possibility for subsequent treatment.