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Improved outcome for children with hepatoblastoma
M D Stringer1, S Hennayake, E R Howard
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|March 1, 1995
Summary
This study shows that 90% of hepatoblastoma cases became resectable after chemotherapy, with a 67% survival rate. Selective preoperative chemotherapy significantly improved outcomes for children with liver cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
Background:
- Hepatoblastoma is a rare pediatric liver cancer.
- Treatment strategies have evolved to improve surgical resectability and patient survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively review clinical, radiological, and pathological data of hepatoblastoma cases.
- To evaluate the impact of surgical aspects and selective preoperative chemotherapy on treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 41 children treated for hepatoblastoma between 1981 and 1993.
- Analysis focused on surgical interventions, chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin and doxorubicin), and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- 90% of hepatoblastomas were resectable following a selective preoperative chemotherapy approach.
- 22 out of 26 initially unresectable cases became amenable to surgery after chemotherapy.
- 28 survivors were recorded, with 27 disease-free at a median follow-up of 5 years.
- The cumulative survival probability for patients treated with curative intent was 67%.
Conclusions:
- Selective preoperative chemotherapy is a key strategy for improving hepatoblastoma resectability.
- Significant progress in hepatoblastoma treatment has been demonstrated, with favorable outcomes for pure fetal histological subtypes.