Virilizing hepatoblastoma: precocious sexual development and partial response of pulmonary metastases to cis-platinum

A 42/3 year old boy with hepatoblastoma presented with precocious sexual development and an abdominal mass. During the course of disease, serial endocrinologic laboratory investigations were done, along with alpha-fetoprotein levels. A significant correlation is noted in these values at diagnosis, postsurgery, and later during a relapse. Ectopic production of chorionic gonadotropins by the tumor is evident. After extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy was started because of metastases. Although the primary tumor failed to respond, the pulmonary metastatic disease showed a greater than 50 percent response rate with cis-platinum.