What Is a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver? A rhabdoid (RAB-doyd) tumor of the liver is a cancer that begins in the liver, then often spreads quickly to other parts of the body. These tumors are very rare and usually happen in babies and toddlers. Rhabdoid tumors also can affect other parts of the body, like the kidneys and brain. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver? A child with a rhabdoid tumor might have: a large belly that sticks out belly pain, most often on the right side belly mass (something solid in the belly that can be felt through the skin) jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) back pain a fever itching loss of appetite weight loss nausea and vomiting anemia (low red blood cell count) What Causes a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver? Healthy cells have a way of making sure that they grow as they should. If something goes wrong in the cells, they can grow out of control. Most of the cells that grow out of control and form a rhabdoid tumor of the liver have lost at least a piece of a normal gene. Who Gets a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver? Rhabdoid tumors of the liver usually develop in the first year of life. The average age at diagnosis is 15 months. How Is a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver Diagnosed? A doctor who is concerned that a child has a rhabdoid tumor of the liver will do an exam and order tests. These may include: blood tests, including liver and kidney function tests and an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) test (liver damage and some cancers can raise the level of this protein in the blood) imaging tests: ultrasound X-rays CAT scan MRI a biopsy: removing a piece of tumor tissue for examination or testing How Is a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver Treated? Doctors usually treat rhabdoid tumors of the liver with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. If possible, children with cancer should go to a medical center specializing in the treatment of pediatric cancers. Treatment depends on: the child's age the size of the tumor whether there is one or many tumors in the liver whether the cancer has spread from the liver Treatment Options Surgery is needed to cure rhabdoid tumor of the liver. But because of the size of the tumor, it's not possible in most children at the time they are first diagnosed. Chemotherapy is often used, but typically is only partially effective in shrinking the rhabdoid tumor. Radioembolization (or Y90) is a type of therapy that delivers high-dose radiation directly to the liver tumor through the bloodstream. The radiologist inserts a tiny catheter (plastic tube) in the groin and passes it to the artery closest to the tumor. This procedure protects much of the normal liver tissue from the effects of Y90. Y90 can be used as primary therapy in liver tumors that don't respond well to chemotherapy. It's also used when the tumors come back or don't shrink enough for surgery. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which sends chemotherapy particles directly to the tumor. Tumor ablation, which is when doctors destroy tumors by using small needles to heat or cool them. Sometimes, the entire liver must be removed to treat the cancer. The liver is a vital organ, so in these cases a child will need a liver transplant. Who Treats Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver? Rhabdoid tumor of the liver is treated by a health care team, including specialists in: oncology (cancer)/hematology (blood diseases) surgery interventional radiology (image-guided minimally invasive procedures) gastroenterology (digestive tract) and hepatology (liver) pathology (diagnosing diseases by examining body tissues, fluids and organs) genetics (genetic counseling and testing) radiology (medical imaging) nutrition What Else Should I Know? Research into better treatments for rhabdoid tumors is ongoing. If your child is being treated for a rhabdoid tumor of the liver, you don't have to go it alone. To find support, talk to your child's doctor or a hospital social worker. Many resources are available to help you get through this difficult time. You also can find information and support online at: National Cancer Institute American Childhood Cancer Organization American Liver Foundation Back to Articles Related Articles Radioembolization (TARE-Y90) for Liver Tumors Radioembolization is a procedure used to treat some kinds of liver tumors. A radioactive material works on the tumor, not the healthy tissue around it. Read More Liver Tumors Tumors happen when cells form a mass or growth. Liver tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Read More Hepatoblastoma Hepatoblastoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the liver but rarely spreads beyond it. Most cases are in children younger than 3. Read More Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer. It's treated by a health care team of specialists in many areas. Read More When Your Child Needs a Liver Transplant If your child needs a liver transplant, you're probably feeling lots of emotions. Fortunately, most kids who have liver transplants go on to live normal, healthy lives. Read More Wilms Tumor Wilms tumor is a cancer of the kidneys that usually affects newborns and the very young. Fortunately, most kids with Wilms tumor survive and go on to live normal, healthy lives. Read More Words to Know (Cancer Glossary) Check out our cancer glossary for lots of easy-to-read definitions. Read More Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver (UESL) Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare kind of liver cancer that happens mostly in children. Read More Childhood Cancer Different kinds of childhood cancer have different signs, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. But today, most kids with cancer get better. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.