Infantile choriocarcinoma in a neonate with massive liver involvement cured with chemotherapy and liver transplant

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2011 Aug;33(6):e258-60. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e318212ecb3.

Abstract

A 6-week-old boy presented with fever, pallor, and hepatomegaly. Ultrasound showed a huge midline abdominal mass. β-human chorionic gonadotropin was markedly elevated, suggesting a diagnosis of infantile choriocarcinoma of the liver. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient received 6 cycles of bleomycin, cisplatin, and etoposide with significant decrease in tumor size. However, the tumor remained unresectable. A donor liver became available, and the infant underwent successful liver transplantation. He received 2 posttransplant cycles of moderate dose of methotrexate. This case shows the use of liver transplantation in cases of infantile choriocarcinoma of the liver where the tumor remains unresectable despite chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Child
  • Choriocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Testicular Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin
  • Methotrexate