Liver Tumours ✅ Flashcards
Give 2 liver tumours seen in childhood
- Hepatoblastoma
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
What is the most common type of liver tumour seen in childhood?
Hepatoblastoma
What age does hepatoblastoma present in?
<4 years
What age is hepatoblastoma most commonly seen in?
<18 months
What are the common presenting features of hepatoblastoma?
- Palpable abdominal mass with abdominal distention
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Jaundice
What should physical examination focus on in suspected hepatoblastoma?
Associated syndromes
What syndromes are associated with hepatoblastoma?
- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Glycogen storage disease type I
Why is a detailed family history important in suspected hepatoblastoma?
To identify possible risk factors, e.g. bowel cancer at a young age (suggesting FAP)
What is typically found on blood tests in hepatoblastoma?
Raised alpha-fetoprotein
What is the clinical use of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatoblastoma?
- Diagnosis
- Monitoring response to treatment
What is AFP?
A plasma protein which represents the fetal form of albumin
By what age does AFP fall to undetectable levels?
By 8 months of life
What does a positive AFP indicate after 8 months?
A pathology, most likely a tumour
What kinds of tumours can cause a raised AFP?
- Hepatic
- Yolk sac
What produces AFP?
The yolk sac and liver (and when yolk sac involuted, liver alone)
