Hepatoblastoma
What is Hepatoblastoma?
Hepatoblastoma is a rare, malignant tumor of the liver. It is found 90% of the time before three years of age. The cause of hepatoblastoma is unknown.
What are the symptoms of Hepatoblastoma?
An increased swelling of the abdomen is the most common symptom. The enlarged liver can usually be felt by your child's doctor. Children with hepatoblastoma usually look fat and healthy. Other symptoms can include pale skin color, weight loss, fever, loss of appetite and vomiting.
How is Hepatoblastoma diagnosed?
Hepatoblastoma tumors sometimes secrete a protein called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) into the blood. An increase of this protein level in the blood can be helpful in the diagnosis. Therefore, a blood sample will be taken to check this level. Even though the tumor is in the liver, blood test results of liver function are usually close to normal. An ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI of the abdomen may also be performed.
Definitive diagnosis is made by biopsy or removal of the tumor. A biopsy is a surgical procedure where a part of the suspicious mass is removed and looked at under a microscope. These procedures are done under general anesthesia so that the child is not conscious and will not feel any pain.
How is Hepatoblastoma staged?
Staging depends on the extent of liver involvement and whether the tumor is in only one place or if it has spread. The most common sites for metastasis or spread of tumor are the lungs, abdominal lymph nodes and rarely the bones.
How is Hepatoblastoma treated?
There are several ways to treat your child. Surgery is most effective if the tumor is only in the liver. Chemotherapy may also be used before surgery to help shrink the tumor, or it can be used after surgery to maximize complete destruction of the remaining tumor cells. If the tumor is not just in the liver or it cannot be entirely removed surgically, then chemotherapy will be given. Radiation is only very rarely used.
What is the prognosis for Hepatoblastoma?
In localized tumors that can be surgically removed, there is an 80% cure rate by surgery and chemotherapy. Children with metastasis can be cured 20-30% of the time using surgery and chemotherapy.
Contact Us
For additional information on this topic, please contact us, cancer@cchmc.org.
Written 10/08
