Combination chemotherapy for unresectable hepatoblastoma in children.

Combination chemotherapy (adriamycin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, etc.) was prescribed for two patients with initially unresectable hepatoblastoma. A significant reduction in tumor size occurred, and subsequent successful resection was feasible in one, although in the other the regressed tumor remained inoperable due to the link to the hepatic veins. The survival time for these patients was 9 months after operation and 41 months from diagnosis, respectively. Preoperative combination chemotherapy for initially unresectable hepatoblastoma facilitates surgical removal under more favorable conditions of a decreased tumor size.