What is known?
Several studies from individual countries have suggested that incidence rates for childhood liver cancer diagnoses are increasing. Childhood liver cancers are rare, however, making estimated trends in childhood liver cancer diagnoses less precise as they reflect small numbers.
What is new?
We reviewed the results of 22 peer-reviewed studies and found that overall incidence of childhood liver cancers, including hepatoblastoma, had increased over time. We also discovered that childhood liver cancer incidence rates are increasing in western countries, but are stable in Asia.
What does this mean?
Further research is required to increase our understanding of the key causes of childhood liver cancers.
The study also indicates that there’s a need for ongoing monitoring of childhood liver cancer incidence trends.
Contact: Paramita Dasgupta
Reference: Dasgupta P, Henshaw C, Youlden D, Aitken J, Sullivan A, Irving H, Baade P. Global trends in incidence rates of childhood liver cancers: systematic review and meta-analysis. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2020; 34(5):609-617.