Low Birth Weight is a Predisposing Factor for the Liver Tumors? - Abstract
Purpose: The most common types of liver tumors in pediatric patients are hepatoblastoma (HBL) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The relationship between perinatal characteristics and hepatoblastoma as well as the outcome of liver tumors is the aim of our study.
Methods: 11 children with liver tumors who were diagnosed and treated in our unit were enrolled in our study. The age at diagnosis ranged from 2 months to 5 years for HBL (med:12 months) and 7-8 years for HCC. Predisposing factors such as hepatitis B,C, CMV, or metabolic disorders were tested. All patients treated according to SIOPEL
protocol (plus Nexavare, in HCC) and remain in remission.
Results: 9 cases had HB and 2 HCC. The birth weight of patients was ranged from 1770gr-3850gr while 6 out of eleven children (66%) had birth weight lower than 2900gr. The gestational age in 4 cases was up to 37 weeks. Predisposing factors were not observed in any of our cases. All cases are in complete first remission. One patient
with HCC had reactivation of the disease but achieved remission after second surgery.
Conclusion: 1) There is an increased risk for hepatoblastoma among children with low birth weight. 2) No predisposing factors were found in children with HCC. 3) Although the HCC is usually diagnosed at the age of 10-14 years old, our cases were diagnosed in the earlier childhood. 4) Surgical resection and the SIOPEL protocol give
an excellent outcome, without radiotherapy.