Childhood Cancer
Chapter 3: Liver Cancers
CHILDHOOD LIVER CANCERS ARE RARE, as less than 2 percent of all childhood cancers grow in the liver. The most common form of liver cancer in children is hepatoblastoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second most common, but it occurs infrequently. Although extremely rare, two other types of tumors—undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma and infantile choriocarcinoma—sometimes develop in children’s livers.
This chapter first explains the structure and function of the liver. Then it describes the signs and symptoms of cancer in the liver and how a diagnosis is made. The chapter then delves into the four types of liver cancers, explains how doctors determine the best treatment, and describes the current standard treatment for each of the cancers.
Table of Contents
All Guides- Introduction
- 1. Diagnosis
- 2. Bone Sarcomas
- 3. Liver Cancers
- 4. Neuroblastoma
- 5. Retinoblastoma
- 6. Soft Tissue Sarcomas
- 7. Kidney Tumors
- 8. Telling Your Child and Others
- 9. Choosing a Treatment
- 10. Coping with Procedures
- 11. Forming a Partnership with the Medical Team
- 12. Hospitalization
- 13. Venous Catheters
- 14. Surgery
- 15. Chemotherapy
- 16. Common Side Effects of Treatment
- 17. Radiation Therapy
- 18. Stem Cell Transplantation
- 19. Siblings
- 20. Family and Friends
- 21. Communication and Behavior
- 22. School
- 23. Sources of Support
- 24. Nutrition
- 25. Medical and Financial Record-keeping
- 26. End of Treatment and Beyond
- 27. Recurrence
- 28. Death and Bereavement
- Appendix A. Blood Tests and What They Mean
- Appendix B. Resource Organizations
- Appendix C. Books, Websites, and Support Groups