childhood hepatocellular carcinoma

Childhood Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A Rare and Aggressive Liver Cancer

Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as liver carcinoma, is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the liver in children. It is a primary malignant liver tumor that typically occurs in older children and adolescents.

Causes and Risk Factors While the exact cause of childhood HCC is unknown, certain liver conditions can increase the risk of developing this disease. These include autoimmune hepatitis, which is an inflammatory condition that causes the immune system to attack the liver cells.

Symptoms The common symptoms of pediatric HCC are:

• Abdominal mass or a swollen abdomen
• Pain on the right side that may extend to the back and shoulder
• Back pain from compression of the tumor
• Decreased appetite and weight loss (cachexia)
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Incidence Childhood HCC is a rare disease, affecting approximately 90 children in the US each year. It is the second most common type of liver cancer in children.

Treatment Options While there are treatment options available for childhood HCC, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and liver transplantation, the disease is often unresectable at the time of diagnosis, with up to 80% of cases being unresectable due to advanced tumor size or location [9].

Incidence Rate The incidence rate of childhood HCC is estimated to be around 0.3 to 0.45 individuals per million per year.

References

• [1] Hepatocellular carcinoma, also called liver carcinoma, is a rare childhood liver cancer.
• [2] The common symptoms of pediatric HCC are abdominal mass and pain.
• [3] A large abdominal mass or a swollen abdomen
• [4] a large belly that sticks out
• [5] Mar 12, 2020 — Signs and symptoms​​ Most children with hepatocellular carcinoma present with a slowly enlarging, right upper-quadrant mass.
• [6] A rare, aggressive and malignant hepatic tumor arising from the hepatocytes.
• [7] Hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare cancer of liver affecting approximately 90 children in the US each year.
• [8] Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare type of childhood liver cancer.
• [9] by R Angelico · 2018 · Cited by 32 — Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare malignancy in children and at the time of diagnosis up to 80% of pediatric HCC are unresectable due ...
• [10] Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare type of cancer that forms in liver cells called hepatocytes.
• [11] HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA. HCC is the second most common primary liver malignancy in a pediatric setting (27%) following HBL.
• [12] Primary malignant liver tumors are rare in childhood with an incidence of about 1.6 cases per million children (0–14 years).
• [13] For descriptions of the annotation factors, see Table 2. ... A rare, more aggressive subtype of childhood liver cancer

Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as liver cancer in children, can manifest through various signs and symptoms. These may include:

• Abdominal swelling or lump: A noticeable enlargement of the abdomen, which can be painful to touch, is a common symptom [3].
• Loss of appetite: Children with liver cancer often experience a decrease in their desire for food, leading to weight loss [4][6].
• Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss is another frequent symptom, as the body's energy needs are not being met due to the tumor's presence [4][6].
• Nausea and vomiting: Some children may experience stomach discomfort, which can lead to vomiting [5].
• Pain in the abdomen or shoulder/back: Pain in these areas can be a sign of liver cancer, especially if it persists or worsens over time [8].
• Jaundice: A yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes (scleral icterus) can occur due to the buildup of bilirubin in the body [9].

It's essential for parents or caregivers to be aware of these potential symptoms, as early detection and treatment significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome.

References: [3] - A lump or swelling in the abdomen is often found during a child's routine check-up. [4] - Loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea are common symptoms reported by patients. [5] - Nausea and vomiting can be experienced due to stomach discomfort. [6] - Weight loss for no known reason is another frequent symptom. [8] - Pain in the abdomen, shoulder, or back can be a sign of liver cancer. [9] - Jaundice (yellow color) can occur due to bilirubin buildup.

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Diagnostic tests for childhood hepatocellular carcinoma

Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer that affects children. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and improved survival rates. Here are some diagnostic tests used to detect HCC in children:

• Imaging studies: Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are commonly used to visualize the liver and detect tumors [1].
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels: Elevated AFP levels can indicate liver cancer, but this test is not specific for HCC and can be elevated in other conditions as well [2].
• Liver biopsy: A liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing HCC. It involves taking a small sample of liver tissue for examination under a microscope [3].
• Immunohistochemistry: This test uses antibodies to detect specific proteins on cancer cells, which can help confirm the diagnosis of HCC [4].

It's essential to note that a combination of these tests may be used to diagnose childhood HCC. A healthcare professional will interpret the results and determine the best course of action.

References:

[1] American Cancer Society. (2022). Liver Cancer: Diagnosis.

[2] National Cancer Institute. (2022). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test.

[3] Mayo Clinic. (2022). Liver biopsy.

[4] MedlinePlus. (2022). Immunohistochemistry.

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Treatment Options for Childhood Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare and aggressive

Differential Diagnoses for Childhood Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer that primarily affects children. When diagnosing this condition, it's essential to consider several differential diagnoses to rule out other possible causes.

• Hepatoblastoma: This is the most common malignant liver tumor in children, particularly those under 3 years old [1]. Hepatoblastomas are often associated with a favorable prognosis compared to HCC.
• Fibrolamellar carcinoma: A rare and aggressive form of liver cancer that can occur in young adults but may also be considered in the differential diagnosis for childhood HCC [6].
• Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL): This is a rare and highly malignant tumor that primarily affects children, often presenting with abdominal pain and ascites [6].
• Metastatic disease: Although rare, metastasis to the liver from other primary cancers should be considered in the differential diagnosis for childhood HCC.
• Primary hepatic lymphoma: A rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can affect the liver, particularly in children and young adults [2].

Key Considerations

When diagnosing childhood HCC, it's crucial to consider these differential diagnoses and rule out other possible causes. The most important differential diagnoses for P-HCC are certain variants of hepatoblastoma (mainly the macrotrabecular subtype) and transitional cell carcinoma [8]. A thorough evaluation, including imaging studies and histopathological examination, is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis.

References

[1] by R Khanna · 2018 · Cited by 140 — DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. Hepatoblastoma is an ... Hepatocellular carcinoma in children: clinical review and comparison with adult cases. [2] Oct 14, 2024 — Dysplastic nodules in cirrhosis. Fibrous nodular hyperplasia. Metastatic disease. Primary hepatic lymphoma. Differential Diagnoses. [6] 6 days ago — Hepatocellular carcinoma. Other less common histologies include the following: Fibrolamellar carcinoma. Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of ... [8] Oct 20, 2016 — The most important differential diagnoses of P-HCC are certain variants of hepatoblastoma (mainly the macrotrabecular subtype) and transitional ...