Hepatoblastoma and hepatocarcinoma in infancy and childhood.Report of 47 cases

Abstract

The clinical, morphologic, and follow-up data on 35 patients with hepatoblastoma and 12 patients with hepatocarcinoma have been reviewed and discussed. Differences in the age and sex incidence and in clinical and morphologic findings between the 2 groups of tumors were emphasized. The prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma occurring in children reported in this series was poor, regardless of the form of therapy. Six of the 35 infants and children with hepatoblastoma, however, are alive and well, with no evidence of recurrence; they have survived for periods of time varying from 5 to 13 years following resection of their neoplasms. On the basis of the findings in this study early exploration, biopsy, and surgical resection are recommended in all patients. The authors consider that the only hope of cure in hepatoblastoma is surgical excision.