Hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare disease in which cancerous cells are found in the tissues of your child’s liver. Although rare, it is the most common primary cancer of the liver.

• This type of cancer is found in children from infants to birth to 19 year-old teenagers of age, but usually does not occur before the a child reaches age of 15.
• The median age for diagnosis is 12 years old.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma may occur in multiple places within your child’s liver.
• Cancer cells can also spread (metastasize) to other areas of your child’s body.
• The most common sites of metastasis are the lungs and the abdomen.

Pioneering research

Children's Hospital Cancer Care and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are conducting numerous research studies that will help clinicians better understand and treat hepatocellular carcinoma.