Question
I visited my niece in the hospital yesterday, and the child has had a high white blood cell count since birth, has been in the hospital, and now, at just over 20 days old, has been diagnosed with hepatoblastoma. What symptoms does this disease have?
Answer
Hepatoblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumor with various differentiation patterns. It is composed of fetal epithelial liver cells, embryonal cells, and differentiated mesenchymal components. Most hepatoblastomas are solitary. Children with this condition may experience abdominal swelling, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Occasionally, they may have nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In some cases, jaundice may be observed.