Sudden death is commonly caused by cardiac, pulmonary and neurologic disorders. It also can be induced by cancer, though relatively rare, but often overlooked by clinicians. We reported an aged male of sudden death due to rupture of metastatic chest wall cancer of primary hepatic origin. We hoped to remind clinicians to think the possibility of sudden changes caused by the tumor and its metastases, and make timely and effective management when the condition of a cancer patient sharply deteriorated.