Pediatric fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background A 13-year-old boy presented with acute abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant without previous trauma. Abdominal ultrasound (US) revealed a mass in the right liver lobe with free intraperitoneal fluid, suggestive for hemoperitoneum. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a subcapsular lesion (5.7 × 4.6 × 4.1 cm), suggestive for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC). Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed mild to moderate fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avidity, with no other FDG avid lesions. Hepatic tumor markers were negative. Case report An elective right hepatectomy with cholecystectomy and hilar lymph node resection was performed. Results Histology showed a central fibrous scar and confirmed a FL-HCC (pT1bN0M0). The resected lymph nodes were tumor-free. Treatment of FL-HCC should consist of complete tumor resection with concurrent lymph node resection +/− orthotopic liver transplantation. Long-term follow-up is advised. A follow-up interval of 3–4 months in the first 2 years after surgical resection can be justified as FL-HCC have a high recurrence rate of more than 50% within 10–33 months. Conclusions Malignancy can be a rare cause of abdominal pain in pediatric patients. An abdominal US is essential to prevent misdiagnosis. Treatment of FL-HCC should consist of R0 tumor resection with concurrent lymphadenectomy +/− orthotopic liver transplantation.