Childhood Liver Cancer

Childhood liver cancer or hepatoma is an atypical disease that commences in the liver which is among the largest organs responsible for a host of functions like converting food into energy, purifying and storing blood.

The two cancerous forms originating in the liver are: hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular cancer – that are categorized according to the microscopic appearance of the cancer cells.

Hepatoblastoma is prevalent among below three-year-old infants and could be due to the presence of an anomalous gene. Infants from families that have blood relations carrying a gene associated to a particular form of colon cancer could be more prone to developing this form of cancer.

Hepatocellular cancer is detected among infants from delivery onwards till nineteen years of age. Infants that have developed hepatitis B or C infections that affect the liver are more prone to developing hepatocellular cancer. Getting inoculated for averting hepatitis B might lower the likelihood of being infected with hepatocellular cancer.

Liver Cancer Symptoms:

A probable and rampant sign of childhood liver cancer when the tumor enlarges is the formation of a lump that would be painless or abdominal pain.

The doctor must be consulted when the child exhibits the following signs:

• Non-painful lump formation in the abdominal region.
• Pain, discomfort and swelling in the abdominal region.
• Reduction in weight with no apparent cause.
• Lowered food craving.

Diagnosis & Tests:

A detailed physical examination would be conducted for examining the symptoms of the disease like lumps or any abnormal occurrence.

Tests conducted might involve:

• Serum tumor marker test
  Elevated levels of a protein known as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or the hormone known as beta-human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG) are widely observed in blood of infants affected with liver cancer. This form of blood test could point towards the levels of protein and hormone present.
• Complete blood count or CBC
  This blood analysis test is employed for the measurement of the number of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), the haemoglobin count, the small proportion of the blood made up of the RBCs – hematocrit; and MCV (mean corpuscular volume) that indicates the size of the RBCs.
• Liver Function Tests
  A blood sample drawn for measurement of the levels of particular substances produced by the liver and releasing into the blood. An above normal level of a substance could be an indicator of liver cancer.
• X-ray of the Abdominal region
  An X-ray of the abdomen is done for viewing the internal organs to spot any kind of anomaly.
• Ultrasound
  Elevated frequency sound waves are employed for producing pictures of organs and systems present internally.
• CT or CAT or Computed Tomography Scan
  This imaging technique employs X-rays for creating cross-sectional imagery of the body. CAT scans of the chest and the abdominal region are generally performed in childhood liver cancer cases.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI
  This non-invasive imaging technique taken of the body employing high-power magnets and radio waves.
• Biopsy
  In this procedure, a small tissue or cell sample is taken for microscopic examination for checking the presence of malignant formations. The sample could be removed during the course of the surgical procedure or for viewing the tumor.

Liver Cancer Treatment:

Liver cancer treatment depends on a myriad of factors namely:

• The staging of the cancer (that is ascertained by the extent of the tumor, has the tumor affected most or parts of the liver, and if the cancer has metastasized).
• The liver cancer form that could be hepatoblastoma or hepatocellular.
• If the surgical procedure would totally eliminate the cancer.
• If the cancer is relapsing or lately detected.

Childhood liver cancer could be treated when the tumor growth is in its nascent stages and totally eradicated by surgery. Successful tumor eradication is doable more regularly in hepatoblatoma cases as compared to hepatocellular carcinoma cases.

Taking these aspects into careful contemplation, the treatment alternatives could comprise of partial hepatectomy that is the partial removal of the malignant liver tissue; total hepatectomy and liver transplant; radiation and chemotherapy.