Cancer is the most common cause of disease-related mortality for adolescent patients, 13-19 years of age. Primary liver neoplasms are relatively uncommon entities in this population accounting for 0.5-2.0% of all neoplasms as per the current literature. The most common primary liver malignancy in adolescent patients is hepatoblastoma, which accounts for approximately two thirds of liver tumors. Benign tumors of the liver in the adolescent population include adenomas, focal nodular hyperplasia, hamartomas, and vascular tumors. Hepatic neoplasms in adolescent patients are typically not detected clinically until they reach a large size. While there are many exceptions, these patients generally have normal liver function as well as normal growth and development. In this case series, we examine the imaging characteristics across multiple modalities of several large primary hepatic neoplasms in the adolescent population encompassing both benign and malignant as well as common and uncommon entities. We will also review how the underlying pathophysiology of these neoplasms relates to their imaging appearances. Cross-sectional imaging with MRI or CT, similar to evaluation in adult patients, is considered the best method of evaluating the character and extent of hepatic masses. However, initial workup usually includes plain film x-ray or ultrasound. Benign and malignant hepatic neoplasms in the adolescent population share many similar radiographic features, and therefore, knowledge of these entities and their imaging appearances is essential in order to develop an appropriate differential diagnosis. Read More

Meeting name: IPR 2016 Conjoint Meeting & Exhibition , 2016

Authors: Gnerre Jeffrey, Tong Angela, Jimenez-ocasio Jason, Lecompte Leslie

Keywords: Adolescent, Liver, Neoplasm