Combined cystic teratoma and hepatoblastoma of the liver. Probable divergent differentiation of an uncommitted hepatic precursor cell.

BACKGROUND

Hepatic cystic teratoma is an extremely rare tumor and hepatoblastoma a relatively rare tumor of childhood. Their occurrence as a combined tumor has not been previously reported.

METHODS

The relevant clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings are presented.

RESULTS

A 17-month-old boy presented with an abdominal mass. Imaging studies suggested an intrahepatic teratoma, but serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were extremely elevated. The resected tumor comprised adjoining benign cystic teratoma and epithelial hepatoblastoma. The child remains alive and well 37 months after complete resection of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

The tumor was considered most likely to originate from divergent differentiation of a single uncommitted liver precursor cell.