title: Hepatoblastoma presenting as precocious puberty: a case report.
abstract: Hepatoblastoma (HB), a primary liver tumor in childhood, is often accompanied by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) secretion, and sometimes by β-human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (β-hCG) secretion, and this can cause peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). We describe a case of PPP associated with HB. Laboratory tests showed an increase in AFP, β-hCG and testosterone values, and suppression of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. After chemotherapy and surgery, AFP, β-hCG and testosterone levels normalized and signs of virilization did not progress further. The child did not show evidence for tumor recurrence after 16 months of follow-up. New therapeutic approaches and early diagnosis may ensure a better prognosis of virilizing HB, than reported in the past. Assessment of PPP should always take into account the possibility of a tumoral source.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magro
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Spina
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moscheo
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cataldo
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography