Survival of children with liver tumours in Europe 1978-1989

Hepatic tumours are rare In childhood. Within the frame of the EUROCARE II study, a total of 328 liver tumours in patients aged 0-14 years were report ed during the period 1978-1989. The childhood cancer registries in UK and G ermany contributed approximately a third of the cases each. Hepatoblastoma accounted for 71% of cases. The 5-year survival was 36% 95% confidence inte rval (CI) 28-46%, with no significant difference between the genders. Patie nts aged 10-14 years did worse, especially boys. Survival improved signific antly during the study period. Survival in hepatocellular carcinoma was low er, 20% (95% CI 6-52%), and showed no improvement during the study period. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.