Histomorphologic patterns of hepatoblastoma observed in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Hepatoblastoma is one of the most common malignant childhood tumors with diverse histologic patterns. Recent advances in imaging, pathologic evaluation ,risk stratification, neo-adjuvant treatment and surgical interventions have remarkably improved the survival status of these patients in the developed world. In developing countries like Pakistan successful outcome with limited resources is still challenging for the clinicians and pathologists. Histopathology plays an important role in timely correct diagnosis leading to prompt clinical management and survival. Materials &Methods: 34 cases of hepatoblastoma of both genders were recorded. Clinical presentation,radiology,serum AFP level , histopathologic diagnosis and outcome data were collected and analyzed. Results: Out of 34 cases,24 were male and 10 were female with median age of diagnosis was 3 years. Most children were presented with abdominal distension 19 cases and right sided hepatic lesion 21 cases. The most common histopathologic type was mixed mesenchymal and epithelial 35% followed by fetal type(20%),epithelial type (17%),embryonal and small cell types(6%),macro trabecular type (11%) and pleomorphic type(2%). Elevated AFP level was observed in more than 90% of cases. Conclusion: The most common histopathologic type was mixed epithelial and mesenchymal with male predominance was observed. Key words: hepatoblastoma, fetal, histomorphology