What is a Hepatoblastoma?
Hepatoblastoma is a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer originating in the liver. Although it is not clearly known exactly how, when, or why hepatoblastoma happens, it is generally understood that some of the rapidly dividing embryonic cells that form the liver (and other organs) in utero fail to stop developing at an accelerated rate once fetal formation of the liver is complete. Some factors may increase the likelihood of this happening such as genetic disorders, exposure to toxins in utero, and/or low birth weight.
A hepatoblastoma can simply be a collection of benign cells that are similar to fetal tissue or cells can continue to divide and multiply aggressively no longer creating normal liver tissue. This rapid growth results in the formation of a cancerous liver tumor. From the tumor, cells can spread (metastasize) through the bloodstream to other parts of the liver, abdomen, or, most commonly, the lungs.