Ruptured hepatoblastoma with massive internal bleeding in an adult

Abstract

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary hepatic tumor of children. However, only a very few cases have been reported in adults. Most studies support treatment with chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. We present the first reported case of adult hepatoblastoma in Taiwan. A 52-year-old female suffered from sudden onset of abdominal pain and general weakness for days. Internal bleeding with hemorrhagic shock was suspected and two massive lesions in both lobes of the liver with hemoperitoneum were noted from imaging studies. Surgical resection of the larger left lobe tumor and radio-frequency ablation of the right smaller one were performed. The histopathology diagnosis was of a hepatoblastoma.