Transitional liver cell tumors (TLCT) in older children and adolescents: a novel group of aggressive hepatic tumors expressing beta-catenin

Abstract

Background: We encountered on seven malignant hepatocellular tumors developing in older children and adolescents.

Results: These tumors exhibit an unusual phenotype with respect to clinical presentation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and treatment response. As a working hypothesis, we suggest that these apparently novel, unusual, and aggressive tumors occurring in older children and adolescents may form a transition in the putative developmental pathway of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Conclusion: We therefore propose the term, transitional liver cell tumors (TLCT), to denote these lesions.