IZHAR FATIMA . IMTIAZ HUSSAIN . NELOFAR SULTANA . MOHAMMAD KHALID HASAN KHAN

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Introduction: In children liver tumors are rare but in last decade their occurrence increased markedly. However, there has been enough research done on the treatment options and early diagnosis. In our country the occurrence is much more due to Hepatitis B and C, metabolic disorders and other etiological factors.

Objectives: The present study was aimed to provide a statistical analysis on the occurrence of liver tumors in Pakistani children with increasing age.

Methods: Slides / paraffin blocks of liver biopsies were collected from 54 patients under 15 years of age. The cases were of two categories i.e. retrospective & prospective with all the necessary clinical data included.

Results: In present study, although there were only 54 cases of liver tumor showing maximum number of cases either below 3 years as 18 (33.3 %) cases and 27 (50%) cases in 11-15 years age group. The minimum 9 (16.7%) cases were in 6-10 years age group. Among the types of malignant and benign tumors the present study showed the highest ratio of malignant hepatocellular carcinoma with cases of malignant hepatoblastoma than benign tumors.

Conclusion: There was a marked male predominance and male to female ratio was 5:1. Hepatocellular carcinoma in children is most common in this region of the world, it is common in Pakistan also because the liver disease that can lead to liver cirrhosis and necrosis may be due to Hepatitis B & C. Continued success in reducing childhood cancer mortality will require new treatment paradigms building on an increased understanding of the molecular processes that promote growth and survival of specific childhood cancers.