Abstract
Background Undifferentiated embryonal liver sarcoma (UELS) accounts for only 9 to 15% of all
malignant liver tumors in children. Typically, UELS occurs in older children and presents
as an abdominal mass. Most UELS are unresectable because of the later diagnosis. The
outcome of UELS is very poor, with a 5-year overall survival of < 37.5%. Transarterial
chemoembolization (TACE) has been reported to be an effective modality for unresectable
liver tumors. To investigate the effects of TACE on UELS in children, we present two
cases of children with UELS who underwent TACE and surgical resection in our center
within the past 10 years.
Methods In this study, two children with UELS were treated using TACE with cisplatin, doxorubicin,
and iodized oil. The size of the tumors was measured before and after TACE using ultrasonography.
Routine was also given before and after surgical resection. Side effects were recorded.
Both patients had follow-up.
Results After interventional therapy, both patients presented with vomiting, fever, and transient
liver dysfunction without cardiac or renal dysfunction. One patient had bone marrow
depression. The size of the tumors was reduced by 23% to 31% after TACE. The tumors
were completely removed by surgical procedures after 4 weeks of TACE in both patients.
One patient survived free of disease for 1 year, and the other survived free of disease
for 9 years.
Conclusion TACE yielded satisfactory results for unresectable UELS in children, with lower dosage
of chemotherapy and fewer side effects. It may be applied as a preoperative therapy
for children with unresectable UELS.
Keywords
undifferentiated embryonal liver sarcoma - transarterial chemoembolization - child
