A Feasible Surgical Approach for Treating Extensive Hepatoblastoma Using a Backup for Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Case Report

Hepatoblastoma is the most common type of malignant liver tumor in children and occurs most frequently in patients two years of age and younger. The outcomes for children with hepatoblastoma have been improving in recent years due to the introduction of cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Recently, performing liver transplantation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has become increasingly advocated as a primary surgical treatment for children with unresectable hepatoblastoma involving three or four sectors of the liver. Surgical exploration is frequently required to determine which tumors are resectable, which require liver transplantation and timing of resection. When the quality of the remnant liver is in question, the decision for transplantation versus resection should be made by a liver team in experienced center with capability of liver transplantation. This report presents the findings of the patient with hepatoblastoma who successfully underwent extreme resection with a backup for living donor liver transplantation. The patient was discharged home in good condition and the follow-up continued for three years with normal AFP levels observed.