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[Infantile Hepatic Hemangioendothelio- ma with Elevated Alpha-fetoprotein: Case Report and Review]
María Laura Valberdi Lecce1, María Cristina Arregui1, Carmen Lucía Otegui Banno1
1Hospital de Niños Sor María Ludovica de La Plata. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Argentina. Hospital de Niños Sor María Ludovica de La Plata Buenos Aires Argentina.
Insights
Infantile hemangioendothelioma, a common liver tumor in infants, can rarely present with elevated alpha-fetoprotein. This case highlights a rare presentation of this benign tumor, emphasizing diagnostic considerations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hepatology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Infantile hemangioendothelioma is the most frequent benign liver tumor in infants, typically appearing within the first six months of life.
- Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key marker for other pediatric liver tumors like hepatoblastoma but is rarely seen in infantile hemangioendothelioma.
- Distinguishing infantile hemangioendothelioma from other liver pathologies is crucial due to differing prognoses and management strategies.
Abstract:
Infantile hemangioendothelioma is the most common benign mesenchymal tumor of the liver and usually occurs within the first six months of life. Although serum alpha-fetoprotein is a significant tumor marker in cases of hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and germ cell tumors, elevated levels are rarely observed in patients with infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma. In such cases, given that the differential diagnoses have different prognoses, accessible diagnostic options should be sought in order to to guide clinical management. The exact cause of alpha-fetoprotein elevation in hemangioendothelioma has not yet been clarified, although some studies have shown that hepatocytes trapped near the tumor are responsible for the increased serum levels. In this paper, we describe a clinical case of solitary infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma as a rare clinical presentation with elevation of this tumor marker.
