Hepatoblastoma

Semin Diagn Pathol. 2017 Mar;34(2):192-200. doi: 10.1053/j.semdp.2016.12.015. Epub 2016 Dec 23.

Abstract

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary malignant hepatic tumor of infancy and childhood, occurring predominantly in the first two years of life. The management of hepatoblastoma has changed markedly over the last 3 decades; neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now standard, particularly in unresectable tumors resulting in considerable preoperative tumor shrinkage and sometimes near total ablation of the tumor. A 20 month old infant was incidentally found to have a 7.6cm right sided retroperitoneal tumor on routine screening ultrasonography for left ureteral stenosis. Serum alpha fetoprotein was elevated. Biopsy revealed hepatoblastoma, mixed epithelial and embryonal type without mesenchymal elements. He underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Although the tumor had decreased considerably in size, close proximity to major vascular structures precluded safe resection. Liver transplantation was performed; the explanted liver showed complete tumor necrosis with no residual malignancy. The postoperative course was uncomplicated and he is continuing on sixth cycle of chemotherapy.

Keywords: Mixed epithelial mesenchymal hepatoblastoma; Pure fetal hepatoblastoma; Small cell undifferentiated hepatoblastoma; Teratoid hepatoblastoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Hepatoblastoma / pathology
  • Hepatoblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy