Etoposide, cisplatin, epirubicin chemotherapy in the treatment of pediatric liver tumors

To discuss the potential benefit of a chemotherapy regimen including etoposide (etoposide, cisplatin, epirubicin [EPE]), the authors report a single-institutional experience regarding 13 children with hepatoblastoma (HB) and 7 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chemotherapy achieved partial response in 8/9 HB and in 4/5 HCC. Eight initially unresectable HB subsequently had liver resection. Event-free survival and overall survival at 5 years were 84 and 88% for HB (non-metastatic cases: 91 and 100%), 29% for HCC. EPE chemotherapy seems to be effective in the treatment of childhood malignant liver tumors. Etoposide could be suggested as part of intensive multidrug regimens for HCC and high-risk HB.