Liver Tumor Program

Liver tumors happen when abnormal cells cluster together to form a mass or lump in the liver, making the organ unable to work properly. They may be cancerous or noncancerous. More than 300 children and young adults are diagnosed with liver tumors each year in the U.S.

The specialized pediatric team at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is experienced in evaluating and treating many conditions, including:

• Hepatoblastoma
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Embryonal sarcoma of the liver
• Rhabdoid tumor of the liver
• Undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver
• Other rare liver tumors

At the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, we offer a full range of treatment options for kids and young adults with liver tumors. We will create a treatment plan just for your child, as approaches to treatment can vary. Our team works closely with each family to determine the best course of action. Treatment options may include:

• Chemotherapy (chemo): A group of medicines that kill or damage cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy rays to kill or damage cancer cells.
• Surgery: A procedure to remove as many of the cancerous cells as possible.
• Liver transplant: A surgical procedure in which a healthy liver is provided by a donor.
• Local ablative techniques: Procedures such as chemoembolization that delivers medicine directly into a vein feeding a tumor, and radiofrequency ablation that uses electrical currents to create heat that destroys cancer cells.

A child with a liver tumor may undergo any one of these treatments or a combination of them.

We are home to one of the leading childhood cancer programs in the country. Combining the latest proven technology and research with a caring, child-friendly approach makes the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center a top choice for the treatment of pediatric liver tumors.

Our highlights

• U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the top pediatric cancer programs in the country.
• We are home to one of the only pediatric liver tumor programs in the Southeast, with a coordinated, integrated team of pediatric specialists dedicated to the care of children with cancerous or noncancerous liver tumors.
• We are home to one of the five largest liver transplant programs in the U.S.
• We offer some of the most promising new cancer treatments for children who have relapsed or who have difficult-to-treat cancers through our Developmental Therapeutics Program.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis for your child can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. At the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, we are here to support you and your family. We make it our mission to provide the best care—and best experience—for every child, whether treating a toddler during an emergency or helping a teen through chemotherapy treatments. Family plays an important role in your child’s well-being. Not only are you a vital part of your child’s healthcare team; you are a source of security and comfort.