Liver tumours occur when abnormal cells in the liver grow in an uncontrolled way. There are several types of liver tumours in children:
- Hepatoblastoma usually occurs in children under 3 years of age and does not usually spread to other parts of the body.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma usually occurs in older children and teenagers, and often spreads to other parts of the body.
- Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver usually occurs in children aged 5–10, and often spreads throughout the liver or to the lungs.
- Infantile choriocarcinoma starts in the developing baby and is usually found in the first few months of life.