Hepatoblastoma is a form of liver cancer which occurs primarily in young children, usually within the first 18 months of life. While hepatoblastoma is the most common type of liver cancer seen among young children, it is still extremely rare, both within children and in the general population. Treatment options vary, depending on the stage of the cancer and where the patient is being treated, with some nations having different treatment protocols for hepatoblastoma.
There appears to be a strong genetic component in the development of hepatoblastoma. Some people with genetic diseases are more likely to develop this cancer, and it can also happen when tumor suppressor genes are turned off. Exposure to a hepatitis virus can also increase the risk of developing hepatoblastoma. Since the condition often emerges early, it is difficult to connect lifestyle factors to the development of hepatoblastoma, and in many cases there appears to be no obvious lifestyle component.
Patients with this cancer can develop symptoms like jaundice, loss of appetite, weight loss, swelling in the abdomen, abdominal and back pain, and anemia. In preverbal children who cannot express feelings of pain or discomfort, parents may note an extreme reaction to any handling of the abdominal area, or they may observe that the child is restless, does not feed well, or is not behaving normally. Hepatoblastoma can be diagnosed with the use of biopsy and imaging studies to locate the cancer and determine how far it has spread. The prognosis improves the earlier the cancer is identified, as once it starts to metastasize to surrounding organs, it can be difficult to control and treat.
Under some treatment protocols, surgical resection of the liver is the first line of the defense, with the goal being to remove as much of the cancer as possible before providing adjunct chemotherapy. In other regions, surgery is not the first option considered. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be recommended, allowing a surgeon to completely excise the damaged organ and give the patient a new liver.
After hepatoblastoma cancer has been treated, the patient's prognosis can vary. Some patients make a full recovery, while others may experience relapses. Before embarking on cancer treatment for a child with hepatoblastoma, parents may want to ask what the goal of the therapy is, how long the therapy may take, and what to expect during and after therapy. This can give parents a more complete picture of the situation which will allow them to make a balanced decision about how to proceed.
