Among the serious illnesses that mostly occur in children mostly under 3 years of age is Hepatoblastoma. This is a type of liver cancer that doesn’t grow in other parts of the body.
Although this is a rare type of cancer that occurs due to genetic conditions and possible genetic mutations that cause the issue. The tumor sees abnormal growth of tissues from the liver, and the origination point is usually the right lobe of the liver. One of the top liver hospitals in Chennai has these to explain.
Although children up to 5 years of age are affected by the condition, in the majority of cases, the problem arises in the first 18 months after birth. Although, the problem is most prevalent in children born prematurely. The condition is treatable with a few therapies and regular screening. Let us know more about the disease:h
Causes of Hepatoblastoma
Hepatoblastoma is caused in those children with these conditions predominantly, including,
- Premature Birth: Babies born under 37 weeks are considered premature, and these children are susceptible to various illnesses and diseases while growing up.
- Exposure to Hepatitis B: This is a liver disease that’s common in grown-ups. However, all those children affected with Hepatitis B are likely to encounter Hepatoblastoma.
- Affected with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: This is a growth disorder that stalls genetic growth and instills the development of cancer tumors.
- Biliary Atresia: Expert doctors dealing in liver treatment in Chennai feel Biliary Atresia is a condition that contributes to the problems. It is when bile from the small intestine flows and the backed-up bile contributes to affecting the liver adversely.
Symptoms of Hepatoblastoma
A child suffering from Hepatoblastoma is likely to experience symptoms such as:
- Weight and appetite loss
- Jaundice-like symptoms (eyes and skin turning yellow)
- Swollen abdomen
- Fever
- Anemia and related symptoms
- Vomiting
Treatments Available to Cure Hepatoblastoma
- Chemotherapy: Much like removing cancer cells, chemotherapy intends to block the flow of blood to the tumor and crops down any further growth. The process is administered with a tube into the liver’s main artery and thus it continues to work in this way.
- Intravenous Radiology: Intravenous Radiology is the technique that allows treating to remove the cancel and assures removal of the tumor with direct heat. This also traps blood flowing to the tumor. Radiology is a key procedure that helps in controlling the size of a tumor, which then, can be removed with surgery.
- Liver Transplant: A liver Transplant is perhaps the last resort the surgeon might recommend if the problem and size of the tumor are too large to remove.
- Transarterial Chemoembolization or TACE: In this treatment, an injection is administered to the arteries that supply blood to the child’s liver, and ensures circulation of anti-cancer medicines to revolve around the tumor.
In a Nutshell
Hepatoblastoma is a condition that is curable with early diagnosis and proper screening. At Chennai Liver Foundation, one of the top liver cancer treatments in Chennai hospitals, the doctors are determined to cure Hepatoblastoma. Right from diagnosis to treatment, these expert professionals will give a new lease of life to those affected children.