Recurrent hepatoblastoma
Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma
Current Clinical Trials

Recurrent hepatoblastoma

The prognosis for a patient with recurrent or progressive hepatoblastoma depends on many factors, including the site of recurrence, prior treatment, and individual patient considerations. For example, in patients with stage I hepatoblastoma at initial diagnosis, aggressive surgical treatment of isolated pulmonary metastases that develop in the course of the disease may make extended disease-free survival possible.[1] If possible, isolated metastases should be resected completely in patients whose primary tumor is controlled.[2] Phase I and phase II clinical trials may be appropriate and should be considered.

The prognosis for a patient with recurrent or progressive hepatocellular carcinoma is poor.[3] Phase I and phase II clinical trials may be appropriate and should be considered. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Adult Primary Liver Cancer Treatment ¹ for more information.)

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent childhood liver cancer ². The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI Web site ³.

References

1. Feusner JH, Krailo MD, Haas JE, et al.: Treatment of pulmonary metastases of initial stage I hepatoblastoma in childhood. Report from the Childrens Cancer Group. Cancer 71 (3): 859-64, 1993.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Robertson PL, Muraszko KM, Axtell RA: Hepatoblastoma metastatic to brain: prolonged survival after multiple surgical resections of a solitary brain lesion. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 19 (2): 168-71, 1997 Mar-Apr.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
3. Malogolowkin MH, Stanley P, Steele DA, et al.: Feasibility and toxicity of chemoembolization for children with liver tumors. J Clin Oncol 18 (6): 1279-84, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]