Hepatic tumours
About hepatic tumours
In the UK, around 10 children are diagnosed with primary hepatic tumours each year. Primary hepatic tumours are those that originate from the liver.Â
There are two main types of liver tumours:
Hepatoblastoma
This most commonly affects children under the age of 5. In the UK, about 8 children a year are diagnosed with this type of cancer.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
This usually occurs in older children and is less common, with 2 children on average diagnosed each year.
Symptoms:
- A lump of swelling in the abdomen
- Pain in the abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weight loss
Diagnosis
A variety of investigations will be carried out to diagnose a hepatic tumour. These may include an ultrasound scan, blood tests, an MRI and a biopsy will usually be needed.
Treatment
Treatment usually involves a combination of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour. In some children, if the tumour affects all areas of the liver, the child may need a liver transplant to enable the tumour to be completely removed.
