ABSTRACT

Malignant liver tumors are rare in childhood. Hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are the two most common types of malignant liver tumors. In our study, we reviewed the demographic, clinical features and treatment outcomes of pediatric patients with malignant liver mass followed in our clinic retrospectively.

Patients with 13 malignant liver tumors, who were diagnosed in University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Oncology Clinic between 2010 and 2019, were included in the study. Their files were reviewed retrospectively, and their demographic characteristics, tumor localization, clinical and radiological findings, treatments and response to treatment were also investigated.

Thirteen pediatric patients (male/female: 6/7) with malignant tumors in the liver were evaluated. The median age of the patients was calculated as 38 months (minimum: 4- maximum: 198 months). There were patients diagnosed with hepatoblastoma (n=11, 84.6%), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1, 7.69%), and liver undifferentiated sarcoma (n=1, 7.69%). Alpha fetoprotein level was <100 ng/mL (0-9) in one patient (9%) with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma and in one patient with undifferentiated sarcoma. Treatments consisting of surgery and chemotherapy were applied. Two patients died due to relapse and/or progressive disease. Overall survival rate was calculated as 88.9%.

A single-center experience was presented by retrospectively evaluating our patients with liver malignant tumors. The number of our patients was limited. However, this study contains very good survival rates for childhood liver cancers. Studies involving long-term follow-up periods should be planned in order to evaluate long-term complications due to chemotherapy.

Keywords: Hepatoblastoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Child