Hepatoblastoma in an adolescent girl: A case report

Abstract

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary malignant hepatic tumour in children, occurring between the ages of 6months to 3years. It most often presents with a painless abdominal mass discovered accidentally in young
children. Occurrence in adolescents and adults is rare and is usually
associated with non-specific symptoms which often result in delayed  diagnosis and commencement of treatment. Abdominal pain preceding a rapidly progressive abdominal mass is a common pattern observed in adolescents and adults. The histologic type commonly seen in adults is
associated with a poor prognosis. We report the case of a sixteen year old girl who presented with abdominal pain and distension and jaundice of a short duration. She was well-nourished with marked hepatomegaly and ascites. Hepatic transaminases were highly elevated with deranged clotting profile. She developed features of hepatic encephalopathy and died
on the seventh day of admission. A Post-mortem histologic diagnosis
of hepatoblastoma was made.

Key words: Hepatoblastoma, adolescent, poor prognosis