[Strategy for the treatment of hepatoblastoma in children]

Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant live tumor in childhood. Multicenter trials have made it clear that pre- and/or postoperative chemotherapy are necessary to improve the outcome of the treatment of hepatoblastoma. The results of the Japanese Pediatric Liver Tumor (JPLT)-1 study since 1991 have been compatible with those of other group study trials in Europe and the USA. However, patients with unresectable primary tumors or with lung metastasis still have a poor prognosis. The JPLT has developed a new protocol that includes four courses of treatment based on the PRETEXT staging system. These treatments include intensive chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation for patients with unresectable primary tumors or with pulmonary metastases.