title: A rare cause of precocious puberty: hepatoblastoma.
abstract: Hepatoblastoma, an embryonal tumor, is one of the most common primary liver tumors in childhood. It secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which can cause precocious puberty (PP). Herein, we present a case with PP who had enlarged penile size noticed during a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. Laboratory examination revealed increased testosterone, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and hCG levels. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were within prepubertal ranges. The diagnosis of hepatoblastoma was made by liver biopsy. Chemotherapy was administered, and the patient was referred to surgery. Ten months later, testis volumes were below 4 ml bilaterally, and penile length was 5.5 cm. Serum testosterone, AFP, and hCG levels decreased. Resection of the tumor and chemotherapy are essential for the treatment of hepatoblastoma and they can eliminate the symptoms of PP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Uludağ University, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey. erderen@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eren
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demirkaya
authors.forename: Esra D Papatya
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Çakır
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sevinir
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sağlam
authors.forename: Ömer
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Tarım
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000209:etiology*