Onkológia 1/2009

Liver tumors in childhood – review and the treatment

Liver tumors in childhood are rare tumors. Approximately two thirds of all liver masses in children are malignant. Among children younger than 5 years, HB accounted for 91 %, whereas among those 15 to 19 years of age, HCC accounted for 87 % of cases.The causes of most liver tumors of childhood are unknown. HB occurs in association with several cancer genetic syndromes. HCC often occurs after the development of cirrhosis. The AFP is a tumor marker to assess response to therapy as well as to monitor for disease recurrence. Surgery is the mainstay of the treatment for liver tumors. The role of CHT is to improve resectability of the tumor. In the case of unresectable liver tumors the liver transplantation give the real hope for cure.

Keywords: hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, diagnostic, alfafetoprotein, complete resection, transplantation