Management of pediatric liver tumors.

Historically, children with liver tumors were uniformly considered to have a poor prognosis and were approached warily by pediatric surgeons and oncologists. Over the last decade, however, advances in diagnostic imaging technology, discovery of effective chemotherapy, and improved surgical techniques have greatly facilitated the management of children with hepatic tumors. Although orthotopic liver transplantation has emerged as a viable treatment option in the management of hepatic malignancies, including hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, its use is still controversial.