Hepatocellular carcinoma in children

摘要: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs more frequently in subsaharan Africa and the Orient than other geographical regions, but remains an uncommon tumour of childhood. We review six children with HCC (mean age 13 years) treated by paediatric oncology unit at Tygerberg Hospital Cape Town over 8-year period (1983–1990). Patients presented epigastric right upper quadrant discomfort hepatomegaly. The hepatitis B serum antigen (HbsAg) was positive three patients; alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were markedly elevated (range 100-453,000 μg/1). Age sex did not differ significantly all patients initially had irresectable advanced-stage tumours. Morphologically, highly malignant adult-type pleomorphic HCCs, two differentiated tumours, one a fibrolamellar subtype. mean 2-year survival 33% 5-year 16.6%. biological behaviour response to treatment tumours varied. Whereas poor therapy, poorly-differentiated negative HbsAg, normal AFP responded doxorubicin/cisplatinum chemotherapy. This facilitated radical surgical excision. One patient this group has survived for 75 months following resection well. childhood high mortality. Aggressive chemotherapeutic regimes combination may lead improved some cases. Prevention priority.