Hepatoblastoma in a child of extremely low birth weight

Am J Perinatol. 2002 Apr;19(3):149-53. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-25309.

Abstract

Hepatoblastoma is a rare childhood embryonal malignancy. Recent reports suggested a linkage between premature birth and later development of hepatoblastoma. In August 2000, we encountered a 24-month-old boy with extremely low birth weight who developed hepatoblastoma with an unfavorable histology. His birth weight was only 584 g. Radiological evaluation of the liver revealed a hypoattenuated tumor occupying the left lobe. His initial serum alpha-fetoprotein level was 4032 ng/mL. The patient underwent successful left hepatectomy. The histological examination showed that the tumor, weighing 210 g, was a hepatoblastoma of epithelial type in two different patterns. One was composed purely of fetal type of tumor cells, whereas another was made up of embryonal type of cells in a macrotrabecular pattern. Four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy were given after surgery and were well tolerated. The patient remained in clinical remission 18 months after diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatoblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Hepatoblastoma / pathology
  • Hepatoblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Treatment Outcome
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins