Pediatric Liver Tumors

What are the signs and symptoms of liver tumors?

Children who develop a liver tumor may have these signs and symptoms:

• Abdominal swelling
• Poor appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss

If the tumor has developed to the point that it affects the liver’s function, they may also have jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), itchy skin and anemia (low levels of red blood cells), which can make your child feel weak or tired.

What tests are used to diagnose a liver tumor?

Children suspected of having a liver tumor should undergo blood tests and imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. These imaging tests show your child’s doctor the size and location of the tumor. Your doctor may also request a liver biopsy.

What to expect from a liver biopsy

A board-certified pediatric hepatologist and pediatric anesthesiologist from our gastrointestinal (GI) procedure center perform the liver biopsy. Your child is under general anesthesia during the biopsy, so they don’t experience pain or discomfort.

Your child’s surgeon passes a small needle through the skin and between the ribs to remove a small piece of liver tissue. Then a board-certified pediatric pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to check for signs of scarring.

Why choose us to diagnosis a liver tumor?

We have all the resources in one place to quickly and accurately diagnosis liver tumors. We can assess your child’s signs and symptoms and complete lab testing, imaging testing and biopsy all under one roof.

How are liver tumors treated?

Managing liver tumors depends on the type of tumor. Your child may receive one or more types of treatment, including medications, chemotherapy or surgery. We have doctors who specialize in all types of treatment that might be required for liver tumors.

Why choose us for treatment of liver tumors?

Our Pediatric Liver Center is one of the largest in the country and provides a fast and targeted approach to accurately diagnosing liver tumors. We provide quick access to a highly skilled and experienced multidisciplinary team, including surgical oncology specialists, liver specialists, oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and radiologists.

Helpful resources

Cancer.gov is the central website for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the U.S. government’s principal agency for cancer research. NCI shares information about many types of cancer and cancer research, including pediatric liver tumors.