Infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein.
Infantile hemangioendothelioma is the most common hepatic vascular tumor in infants less than 6 months of age, with a prevalence of 1%. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels have been used as an important tumor marker for hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and germ cell tumors. It is rarely elevated in hepatic hemangioendothelioma. The authors report an infant with a hepatic hemangioendothelioma associated with elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein who was treated with corticosteroids. In young infants, a solitary hepatic mass and elevated serum AFP level may not always be associated with hepatoblastoma. Infantile hemangioendothelioma must be differentiated by MRI or other radiological techniques before performing invasive procedures.
Sari
Neriman
N
Hacettepe University, Institute of Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Ankara, Turkey. nerimansari1973@yahoo.com
Yalçin
Bilgehan
B
Akyüz
Canan
C
Haliloglu
Mithat
M
Büyükpamukçu
Münevver
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000097:blood* / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012074:Remission Induction; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D008775:Methylprednisolone