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Arkansas Children's provides right-sized care for your child. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Arkansas Children's in seven specialties for 2024-2025.

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We're focused on improving child health through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, continuing education, and outreach and prevention.

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Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

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Hello.
Arkansas Children's Hospital
General Information 501-364-1100
Arkansas Children's Northwest
General Information 479-725-6800

Liver Tumors
What are liver tumors?
Liver tumors are abnormal growths in the liver. They can be either cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Some common types of pediatric liver tumors include:
- Adenoma. These are uncommon, usually benign liver tumors that can occur in children and adults. In children, they can be associated with underlying liver disease or genetic disorders.
- Hepatoblastoma. Although rare, hepatoblastoma is the most common type of liver cancer in children. It is most often found in children under age 5 and is more common in children born prematurely. Most children with this type of tumor do not have any other type of liver disease.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma. This is the second most common type of liver cancer in children. It is most common in teens, but it can also affect younger children. Hepatocellular carcinoma sometimes occurs in children who have another type of liver disease.
- Hemangioma. This is a non-cancerous tumor made up of extra blood vessels.
What are the symptoms of liver tumors?
The symptoms of liver tumors can vary depending on the type of tumor. Hemangiomas often cause no symptoms. Common symptoms of hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in children may include:
- Belly pain
- Swelling in the belly
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Back pain
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Itchy skin
What causes liver tumors?
In many cases, experts do not know what causes pediatric liver tumors. However, children with certain conditions or syndromes may be at slightly higher risk for some types of liver tumors. Children may be at higher risk for hepatoblastoma if they are born prematurely or have one of the following syndromes:
- Trisomy 18 or trisomy 21
- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
- Aicardi syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Type 1a glycogen storage disease (von Gierke disease)
- Goldenhar syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
Children may be at higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma if they have an underlying liver disease, such as:
- Autoimmune hepatitis or hepatitis B
- Tyrosinemia
- Biliary atresia
- Glycogen storage disease
- Alagille syndrome
How are liver tumors treated?
Your child’s treatment for liver tumors depends on the type of tumor your child has. Your care team at Arkansas Children’s are experienced in treating all types of pediatric liver tumors and will work with your family to come up with the best treatment plan for your child’s specific type of liver tumor.
- Your child may take medicine to slow the growth of a hemangioma.
- Surgery may be used to remove a hemangioma if it is very large or is interfering with liver function.
- Surgery is often used to treat hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. However, some liver tumors are hard to remove. If the liver cancer cannot be removed, your child may need a liver transplant. This involves replacing your child’s liver with a healthy liver from a donor.
- Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that shrinks and kills cancer cells. It may be given by mouth or by infusion into a vein. To treat liver cancer, your child may get chemotherapy before or after surgery to help shrink the tumor.
Appointments
New and existing patients can visit our appointment hub for several ways to request an appointment, including online scheduling for many services.
Request an appointmentRelated Services
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Hospital Services
Hematology Inpatient Unit
The hematology inpatient unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, specializes in pediatric cancers and blood disorders.
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Hospital Services
Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders (Arkansas Center for Bleeding Disorders)
The Arkansas Center for Bleeding Disorders at Arkansas Children’s provides specialty care for children with hemophilia and bleeding disorders.
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Hospital Services
Infusion Department
The infusion department at Arkansas Children’s Northwest offers a wide range of treatments, including treatment for cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatology concerns, genetic conditions, and more.
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Hospital Services
Neuro-Oncology
Arkansas Children’s has the only team of pediatric neuro-oncology specialists in the state dedicated to helping children with brain and spinal cord tumors.
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Hospital Services
Cancer and Blood Disorders Program
Our Cancer and Blood Disorders program provides specialty care for children with blood and bleeding disorders, tumors and many types of cancer.
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Hospital Services
Innovative Therapeutics Program
The Innovative Therapeutics Program is ready and prepared to offer new techniques and clinical trials to treat the most complex cases.
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Hospital Services
Bone and Soft-tissue Tumor Program (Orthopedic Oncology)
The Bone and Soft-tissue Tumor Program at Arkansas Children's Hospital provides specialty care for children with bone, muscle, or connective tissue cancer.
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Hospital Services
Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Clinic
With a focus on the expert care of pediatric patients with brain tumors, spinal tumors or neurofibromatosis (NF), our young patients have access to neuro-oncology specialists for every aspect of care based on their individual needs.
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Hospital Services
Sickle Cell Disease Program
Learn more about how pediatric sickle cell patients are diagnosed, evaluated and treated at Arkansas Children's.