have a growth disorder called Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (which makes the body
and internal organs grow too much or get too big)
have a genetic
condition called familial adenomatous polyposis (which causes growths in the lining
of the large intestine)
have a problem with a gene (the APC suppressor gene) that normally keeps tumors
from growing
Hepatoblastoma is more common in boys than in girls.
How Is Hepatoblastoma Diagnosed?
When a child has hepatoblastoma symptoms, the doctor will do an exam. Tests done
may include:
blood tests, including liver function
tests and an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) test (liver damage and some cancers can raise
the level of this protein in the blood)
a biopsy: removing a
piece of tumor tissue with the help of ultrasound. This helps the doctor see the best
area of the tumor to remove.
How Is Hepatoblastoma Treated?
Doctors usually treat hepatoblastoma with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
If possible, children with cancer should go to a medical center specializing in the
treatment of pediatric cancers.
Treatment depends on:
the child's age
the size of the tumor
whether there is one or many tumors in the liver
whether the cancer has spread from the liver
Treatment Options
Surgery is necessary to cure hepatoblastoma. But because of the
size of the tumor, it's not possible in most children at the time they're first diagnosed.
Chemotherapy helps shrink the tumor so that doctors can remove
it. Sometimes the tumor is so large that a liver
transplant is needed because the whole liver must be removed to get the entire
tumor.
Radioembolization (or Y90) is a type of therapy
that delivers high-dose radiation
directly to the liver tumor through the bloodstream. The
inserts a tiny catheter (plastic tube) in the groin and passes it to the
artery closest to the tumor. This procedure protects much of the normal liver tissue
from the effects of Y90.
Y90 can be used as primary therapy in liver tumors that don't respond well to chemotherapy.
It's also used when hepatoblastoma tumors come back or don't shrink enough for surgery.
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which sends chemotherapy particles directly to the tumor.
Tumor ablation, which is when doctors destroy tumors by using
small needles to heat or cool them.
Who Treats Hepatoblastoma?
Hepatoblastoma is treated by a health care team, including specialists in:
If a surgeon removes the cancer completely, a child's outlook is generally good.
After treatment, the doctor will do a checkup every year to see if the cancer has
come back, but this doesn't happen in most cases. The doctor also will treat any long-term
or late side effects
from the treatment.
Having a child being treated for cancer can feel overwhelming for any family. But
you're not alone. To find support, talk to your child's doctor or a hospital social
worker. Many resources are available to help you get through this difficult time.
You also can find information and support online at:
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