Malignant liver tumors

Primary malignant liver tumors can arise from different components of the liver, such as hepatocytes, bile duct epithelium, neuroendocrine cells, and mesenchymal cells. A specific diagnosis frequently can be suggested from imaging studies, but biopsy remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis of liver tumors. Clinical history of chronic liver disease, known risk factors, or other diseases are of great importance. Patient's age is also an important discriminating feature because several tumors such as hepatoblastoma, mesenchymal hamartoma, and infantile hemangioendothelioma, are found predominantly in pediatric populations, whereas cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are rare in pediatric populations.