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Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(3): 149-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-25309
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Hepatoblastoma in a Child of Extremely Low Birth Weight

Tang-Her Jaing1 , Iou-Jih Hung1 , Jer-Nan Lin2 , Rey-In Lien3 , Chuen Hsueh4 , Chia-Shun Lu5
  • 1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
  • 2Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; ;3Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
  • 4Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
  • 5Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
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Publication Date:
25 April 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Hepatoblastoma is a rare childhood embryonal malignancy. Recent reports suggested a linkage between premature birth and later development of hepatoblastoma. In August 2000, we encountered a 24-month-old boy with extremely low birth weight who developed hepatoblastoma with an unfavorable histology. His birth weight was only 584 g. Radiological evaluation of the liver revealed a hypoattenuated tumor occupying the left lobe. His initial serum alpha-fetoprotein level was 4032 ng/mL. The patient underwent successful left hepatectomy. The histological examination showed that the tumor, weighing 210 g, was a hepatoblastoma of epithelial type in two different patterns. One was composed purely of fetal type of tumor cells, whereas another was made up of embryonal type of cells in a macrotrabecular pattern. Four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy were given after surgery and were well tolerated. The patient remained in clinical remission 18 months after diagnosis

KEYWORD

Hepatoblastoma - macrotrabecular pattern - extremely low birth weight