HEPATOBLASTOMA IN AN ADULT ASSOCIATED WITH C-MET PROTOONCOGENE IMBALANCE

A rare case of hepatoblastoma in a 61-year-old Japanese housewife is d escribed. This liver tumor mainly consisted of two tissue components: embryonal hepatocytes and primitive mesenchymal tissue. Fetal hepatocy tes with alphafetoprotein production, gland formation, cartilage and o steoid were also found in a small portion. Molecular analysis by slot blot method revealed increased copy numbers of c-met and K-sam proto-o ncogenes and cyclin DI genes. These findings suggest that alterations of these oncogenes might play a role in the development of adult hepat oblastoma.