Childhood Liver Cancer

Definition

Childhood liver cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the liver of infants, children, and adolescents. The two main types are hepatoblastoma, which usually affects very young children, and hepatocellular carcinoma, more common in older children and teenagers.

Characteristics

Symptoms may include a swollen abdomen, abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, nausea, and fatigue. Hepatoblastoma is often detected earlier, while hepatocellular carcinoma tends to be more aggressive and harder to treat.

Diagnosis and Prognosis

Diagnosis involves physical examination, imaging tests like ultrasound, CT, or MRI, blood tests for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and biopsy. Prognosis depends on cancer type, stage, and response to treatment. Hepatoblastoma generally has a better outlook than childhood hepatocellular carcinoma.

Treatment

Treatment typically includes surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, and, in some cases, liver transplantation. The approach depends on tumor size, location, and whether complete removal is possible.

Last Revised: 12 May , 2025