Hepatoblastoma diagnosed in infancy occurring in single-ventricle patients: a case series

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver tumour in children; however, there are no reported incidences in the single-ventricle congenital heart disease population. We present three cases in patients with single-ventricle heart disease with a mean age at diagnosis of 19.7 (±4) months. The diagnosis was made prior to Fontan completion in all three cases. These represent the only documented hepatoblastoma cases in single-ventricle patients.

Lactate Dehydrogenase in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Something Old, Something New

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumour (80–90%) and represents more than 5.7% of all cancers. Although in recent years the therapeutic options for these patients have increased, clinical results are yet unsatisfactory and the prognosis remains dismal. Clinical or molecular criteria allowing a more accurate selection of patients are in fact largely lacking. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) is a glycolytic key enzyme in the conversion of pyruvate to lactate under anaerobic conditions. In preclinical models, upregulation of LDH has been suggested to ensure both an efficient anaerobic/glycolytic metabolism and a reduced dependence on oxygen under hypoxic conditions in tumour cells. Data from several analyses on different tumour types seem to suggest that LDH levels may be a significant prognostic factor. The role of LDH in HCC has been investigated by different authors in heterogeneous populations of patients. It has been tested as a potential biomarker in retrospective, small, and nonfocused studies in patients undergoing surgery, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and systemic therapy. In the major part of these studies, high LDH serum levels seem to predict a poorer outcome. We have reviewed literature in this setting trying to resume basis for future studies validating the role of LDH in this disease.

Clinical Value of Liver and Renal Scanning in Oncology

SummaryLiver scans were performed in 188 patients with metastatic or primary liver tumour, echinococcus cysts or hydrops of the gallbladder. The photoscans were positive in 96.2% of the cases with primary tumours and in 40 out of 47 patients with expected metastatic liver tumours. Correct interpretation was made in 97.4% of the liver echinococcus cysts and in 50% of patients with gallbladder hydrops.Renal scans were performed in 35 patients and diagnosis was confirmed by surgery. Of the 35 patients 21 had a tumour and 14 cysts. The scans were positive in 91.4%.