Resectability of advanced liver tumours in children after combination chemotherapy

Five patients with locally advanced or metastatic liver tumours were treated at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children between 1983 and 1992 by preoperative combination chemotherapy and subsequent complete resection of the residual liver tumour. Chemotherapy was generally well tolerated with few significant adverse effects. Tumour resection was accomplished by lobectomy in three cases and an extended lobectomy in the remaining two. All five children are currently well and free of disease at a mean follow-up of 36 months.