Hepatoblastoma

Hepatoblastoma is the most common liver cancer diagnosed in children, generally presenting in children under 3 years of age. They are embryonal tumors believed to arise from a hepatocyte precursor cell and are typically heterogeneous, presenting with mixed histological patterns that may recapitulate stages of liver development. Central review of liver tumors diagnosed in children enrolled in collaborative therapeutic protocols has allowed the identification of histological subtypes with distinct clinical associations. However, and despite great therapeutic advances, the prognosis is still poor for children with unresectable or disseminated hepatoblastoma, and no biomarkers or alternative therapies are currently available. International collaborative efforts are drafting common treatment protocols, and a first consensus histologic classification is now available. New therapeutic algorithms incorporating histopathology and biological parameters, such as patient characteristics and tumor genetics, will be necessary to further improve the management and outcome of these patients in the future.