Abstract
The detection of hepatic nodules during follow-up of survivors of solid tumors in childhood raises a diagnostic dilemma. Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is an uncommon, benign tumor and must be differentiated from late hepatic metastasis.
We retrospectively analyzed patients, treated for pediatric solid tumors between January 1990 and December 2007, and performed abdominal imaging as part of the follow-up.
Four survivors with FNH were detected, out of 450 who received chemotherapy with/out irradiation including patients who underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Case 1: A 23 years(y) adolescent, presented at age 10y with acute abdomen due to embryonal sarcoma of liver, she received VACAIEx4, relapsed locally, and underwent ABMT with high-dose carboplatin/melphalan and radiotherapy. Asymptomatic multiple liver lesions were disclosed by US and MRI 5y later, biopsy proved FNH. Case 2: A 21y adolescent who at age 3y had alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the calf with positive inguinal nodes. She received VACAIE x6, and VP16/carboplatin x3 with local radiation. She developed ovary disorder and received oral contraceptive (OC) at age 14.5y, routine US 1.5y later disclosed nodular lesions in liver, diagnosed as FNH by CT, pills were stopped. At follow-up some lesions reduced in size and few disappeared. Case 3: A 9y old girl, operated for choroid plexus carcinoma at age 1.5y, received VP16/carboplatin x16 and underwent ABMT preceded by thiotepa/melphalan. Abdominal US at age 5.5y disclosed multiple liver lesions, biopsy proved FNH, that disappeared 2y later. Case 4: An 11y old girl operated at age 8 months for retroperitoneal germ cell tumor, received VIP/BVPx4, routine US at 10y disclosed 2 liver lesions diagnosed by CT as FNH.
We conclude that FNH can be differentiated from late metastasis by imaging; in questionable cases by biopsy, close follow-up is recommended, alkylating agents especially during ABMT, and OC may be risk factors.
Correspondence should be addressed to Professor Stefan Bielack, Olgahospital, Klinikum Stuttgart, Bismarkstrasse 8, D-70176 Stuttgart, Germany. Email: s.bielack@klinikum_stuttgart.de
