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.