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Your child may need blood tests to check for signs of illness. These include tests for clotting problems, liver and kidney function, tumor markers and gene changes.
Chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout your child’s body to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Different types of chemotherapy drugs work in different ways to treat hepatoblastoma.
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The first step in diagnosing hepatoblastoma is taking a sample of your child’s tumor and looking at it under a microscope. Your child may also have other tests. These include a blood test to check for problems with your child’s red and white blood cells, liver function, blood sugar levels and other health problems. A CT scan, MRI or ultrasound of your child’s belly can create pictures (images) of your child’s liver and surrounding organs. These help doctors find out the size and location of the mass.
Hepatoblastoma is a cancer that starts in the hepatocytes (the liver’s filtering cells). Hepatoblastomas are usually divided into 2 groups according to their type of cell: epithelial types and mixed epithelial and mesenchymal types. The epithelial types are further subdivided into fetal, pleomorphic, embryonal and macrotrabecular tumors.
Medical researchers don’t know what causes hepatoblastoma, but they do know some risk factors that increase the chance of getting it. This includes having an older brother or sister with hepatoblastoma and having a family history of other childhood cancers.
Once your child is diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a team of healthcare providers will treat it. This includes pediatric oncologists, surgeons and hepatology specialists. Some children with hepatoblastoma will have radiation therapy, a treatment that uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells. Other children will have chemotherapy, which uses drugs to fight the cancer and shrink tumors.
Some children with hepatoblastoma have a liver transplant. This is a procedure that replaces the damaged liver with a healthy one from a donor. Your child’s doctor will talk to you about whether your child can have a liver transplant or if there are other treatments available for him.
If hepatoblastoma returns after it is treated, your child will have more tests to find out if the cancer has spread (metastasized) and to what part of the body. Your child will have different treatment options depending on what stage the hepatoblastoma is in and how far it has spread.
Recurrent hepatoblastoma is common in children with hepatoblastoma. It may come back in the liver or in other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes or lungs.
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Hepatoblastoma is a cancer that forms in the liver. It occurs most often in preschool age children, with about half of all cases diagnosed by the time a child is three years old. Hepatoblastoma is more common in boys than in girls. Scientists do not know what causes hepatoblastoma. But some genetic conditions that increase the risk of developing this tumor include Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, hepatic hypertrophy and familial adenomatous polyposis. Children who develop hepatoblastoma because of these conditions may have mutations in genes that control the rate at which cells grow and develop.
Hepatoblastomas usually show up as one or more painful masses in the abdomen. Your child’s doctor will want to do a physical exam. He or she will also ask questions about your child’s symptoms and past health problems. Your child may need imaging tests such as ultrasound or a computed tomography scan (CT or CAT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the belly. These tests use a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies and computer technology to produce detailed images of organs and other structures inside the body. These tests can help your child’s healthcare provider make a diagnosis.
In some cases, a biopsy of the mass is needed. A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the tumor and looked at under a microscope to confirm hepatoblastoma. Other blood tests are also done to check your child’s overall health and to measure levels of certain proteins in the blood, such as alpha-fetoprotein.
Your child’s healthcare team will stage hepatoblastoma based on the size of the tumor and whether it can be removed surgically (Stage I) or not (Stage II). They will also consider how far the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes and lungs.
If your child has a stage III hepatoblastoma or higher, it’s likely that the cancer has spread to other parts of the liver and to the lymph nodes in the chest. In this case, your child will have chemotherapy with other treatments to reduce the chance that the cancer will come back and spread again (recur). These additional treatments might include radiation therapy or a new type of surgery called hepatic embolization.
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Your child’s healthcare team will work together to decide the best treatment plan for your child. This will depend on a number of factors, including the type and stage of hepatoblastoma, your child’s general health, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The doctor will use several types of tests to find out how serious the hepatoblastoma is. These may include blood clotting tests, liver and kidney function, tumor markers, and genetic studies. The doctor will also do an ultrasound exam to look at your child’s liver. A biopsy is a small piece of tissue removed from the tumor for testing. Your child’s care team will explain these tests and procedures before they happen.
Treatment for hepatoblastoma depends on the risk group the tumor is in and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the liver or body. The risk groups are based on results from tests and procedures done to find out how the cancer started, where it is now, and whether or not it has spread.
Children in the low-risk group are those whose PRETEXT I or II tumors do not have any positive VPEFR annotation factors (venous involvement, portal involvement, extrahepatic spread, or multifocality). These patients receive two cycles of chemotherapy followed by resection. If the tumor is unresectable, your child will be assigned to either two or four more cycles of chemotherapy.
High-risk hepatoblastomas are those in which the PRETEXT group is III or IV, or the cancer has spread to other parts of the bile ducts or body. These patients are given more intensive chemotherapy than those in the low-risk group. They are also treated with surgery, and if the tumor is unresectable, they will be assigned to two or four more cycles of chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. This is a common treatment for many types of cancer, and it is being studied in children with hepatoblastoma as well. If your child is in the high-risk group, your child’s care team will discuss the possibility of taking part in a clinical trial that is studying new treatments for hepatoblastoma.
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Whether or not hepatoblastoma comes back (recurs) after treatment depends on the child’s risk group and the type of tumor. Recurrent hepatoblastoma may be more difficult to treat than the original tumor. If your child’s cancer comes back, we have new treatments that can improve the chance of a cure.
Hepatoblastoma is one of the rarest types of childhood liver cancer. It most often affects children from infancy through about 5 years of age. It occurs more often in boys than in girls. Doctors don’t know what causes hepatoblastoma. Children with certain genetic conditions are more likely to develop the tumor, including Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis and Aicardi syndrome.
Many of the same types of treatment used to treat hepatoblastoma can be used to help prevent it from coming back. This includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes other therapies. We may also recommend that your child take part in a clinical trial. These research studies allow doctors to test promising new ways of treating cancer.
Complete, quality surgery is an important part of treating hepatoblastoma. The skilled surgeons at St. Jude specialize in pediatric liver surgery and can offer your child the best chance for a complete and successful recovery.
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Your child’s doctor may use systemic chemotherapy, which is given through a vein (IV) and enters the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body, or regional chemotherapy, which is delivered directly into the area of the tumor.
Regional chemotherapy involves blocking the flow of blood to the hepatoblastoma with a catheter (thin tube). The anticancer drug is delivered into the hepatic artery through this tube, and a substance that blocks blood flow traps the drug near the tumor. Only a small amount of the drug reaches other areas of the body.
We may ask your child to participate in a clinical trial that aims to learn more about this tumour’s biology. This is an opportunity to benefit from better understanding how your child’s hepatoblastoma grows and develops, and possibly improve the way we treat it in future.
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Generally, cancer at this stage is considered terminal. But depending on the type, treatment options can prolong life and improve quality of life.
Your healthcare team will monitor your condition with regular clinic visits. It is important to bring a support person with you, especially for these appointments. Ask your healthcare professional about palliative care options if you have concerns.
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When cancer reaches stage four, it often has spread to other parts of the body. The cancer cells may have escaped from the original tumor and traveled through the blood or lymph system to reach other tissues or organs. When cancer has spread to the bones, it can cause bone pain or fractures. Cancer that has spread to the brain can cause dizziness, headaches or seizures. Cancer that has spread to the liver can lead to abdominal swelling or jaundice.
The cancer at this stage can be difficult to treat. Some treatments can be used to shrink the size of the tumor or to treat areas where the cancer hasn’t spread. These treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Depending on the specific type of cancer, doctors can also use immunotherapy to help the body fight the cancer.
People with stage 4 cancer often feel extreme fatigue and need to sleep more than usual. This can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss. They may experience a rattling sound in the throat, which is caused by fluids that build up in the chest cavity and affect breathing.
It is important for cancer patients to be honest about their symptoms with their doctors. They should tell them about any new or unusual symptoms, and when they started. They should also tell their doctor about any other health conditions that they have. They should bring a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that they take, including the doses. They should also discuss any other health concerns with their doctor, such as a change in their heart rate or stomach problems. They should not be afraid to ask their doctor about participating in a clinical trial that could help them live longer with a better quality of life.
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If you have cancer, the swelling that is associated with it may make your limbs or abdomen feel full and heavy. You may have trouble breathing or a feeling of tightness in the chest. You may be unable to stand for long periods of time, and you may be urinating frequently or not at all. If you notice that your legs, arms and hands are swelling or that you have trouble breathing, talk to your doctor. These signs can also be caused by less serious conditions, but it’s important to tell your doctor about them.
A lot of the symptoms of stage four cancer are related to how much the tumor has spread. When the cancer has spread, it’s called metastatic cancer or advanced cancer. It spreads when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, a network that transports white blood cells throughout the body.
When cancer reaches stage 4, it often has spread to the brain, bones and liver. Breast cancer that reaches this stage often spreads to the lungs and internal mammary glands. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that reaches stage 4 can spread to the lining of the lungs, the heart or the fluid around the lungs.
You can help a loved one with stage four cancer by supporting them and staying in touch. Give them your undivided attention, and listen without interrupting. Stay positive and encourage them to find ways to stay connected with others who have cancer. Consider looking for a local support group and giving them the opportunity to attend meetings with people who have similar experiences. The American Cancer Society has a tool you can use to locate resources for cancer support in your area.
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The cancerous cells grow uncontrollably and clump together to form tumors. Once they reach a certain size, the cancerous cells break apart and spread to other areas of the body. When this happens, it’s referred to as metastatic cancer. Cancers that have reached stage four typically can’t be cured and are considered terminal.
Depending on the type of cancer and where it has spread, a person with stage 4 cancer may experience different symptoms. For example, a cancer that has spread to the lungs can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and hoarseness. It can also lead to coughing up blood. Cancers that have spread to the brain or liver often cause headaches and neurological problems, respectively.
Some types of cancer have sub-stages that are grouped into numerical numbers, such as stage 4A and stage 4B. With limited-stage lung cancer, the cancer has only spread to lymph nodes nearby, while in extensive-stage lung cancer, it has already spread to other areas of the lungs and/or to other organs in the body.
Although treatment options for stage 4 cancer vary by the type of cancer, many patients are able to live for years after diagnosis. The goal of treatment is to slow or stop the growth of the cancer, manage pain and discomfort, and improve quality of life.
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Cancer symptoms vary based on the location and size of the tumor, as well as how far it has spread. Because many of these symptoms can also be caused by less serious conditions, it is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing them. This can help you find the right treatment, slow the growth of the cancer and improve your quality of life.
If a cancer reaches stage 4, it means that it has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body. In breast cancer, for example, it can spread to the lungs and surrounding areas or to other organs. It is important to note that cancer cells are still considered cancer when they have spread to other parts of the body. For example, a cancer that has spread to the liver is still called stage 4 lung cancer even though it is now in the liver.
It is also important to understand that the prognosis for cancer at this stage is not good. However, it is also important to remember that there are many treatments that can help to manage the cancer and improve a person’s quality of life.
People with cancer in stage 4 often have regular clinic visits and may be receiving treatments to treat their symptoms or slow the spread of the disease. These visits are an opportunity for patients to tell their healthcare team how they are feeling and to ask questions about support services or palliative care. It can also be helpful to have someone else accompany a patient during these appointments. Support groups can be a great place to meet other people who are dealing with similar situations and feelings.
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Fatigue is a very common side effect of cancer treatment. The fatigue may be caused by the cancer itself or by medications. It may also be a symptom of other health problems. The doctor will perform a physical examination and order blood tests to check for anemia and other diseases that can cause fatigue. The doctor will ask about the person’s lifestyle and habits, including work and rest routines and their diet. They will also look for any mental health disorders that may be contributing to the fatigue.
Everyone feels tired from time to time, especially after a long day or when they are ill. However, if the tiredness lasts for weeks and does not improve with rest, it is time to see a health care provider.
If a patient has Stage four cancer, it means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, often the brain, liver, bones, and lining of the heart. This is called metastasis and occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and enter the blood stream or lymph system. The cancer cells then travel to other organs and form new tumors.
The symptoms of stage 4 cancer are similar to the symptoms of other stages of lung cancer. Patients may feel exhausted, weak, and want to sleep more. They may also experience loss of appetite, pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. In the final stages of life, some people may hear rattling sounds in their throats, which is called a “death rattle.”
Palliative care, which is provided by a hospice or other palliative care organizations, can help ease these symptoms and other side effects of cancer treatment. It can also help the family deal with emotions such as depression and anxiety that come with this stage of the disease.