DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF TUMORS AND TUMOR-LIKE LESIONS OF LIVER IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD

TLDR

Liver tumors in infants and children are rare and pose diagnostic and management challenges, yet literature is limited to case reports and tumor‑specific reviews. The study compiled data from diverse sources for an Armed Forces Institute of Pathology fascicle, focusing on tumors predominantly in children under two years, where an abdominal mass—often right‑sided—is the most common presenting sign.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION TUMORS of the liver in infants and children are rare. When encountered by the clinician and pathologist, they provide problems in diagnosis as well as management. There are few sources of information regarding the general problem of liver tumors in infants and children and their surgical treatment.* The literature deals primarily with case reports or at most with reviews of specific tumors. An unusual opportunity for the study of this group of tumors was afforded incidental to the compilation of material from widely separate sources in preparation of the fascicle on tumors of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS The tumors are found in the main in patients under 2 years of age, and an abdominal mass noted either by the parents or physician constitutes the commonest initial finding. The mass is usually noted on the right side of the