Primary malignant mesenchymal tumors (mesenchymoma) of the liver in childhood. An angiographic‐pathologic study of three cases

Three boys, aged 10, 6, and 10 years, respectively, presented with abdominal pain or other systemic complaints and had large masses palpable in the abdomen. There were no uniform alterations in the hemograms or serum chemistries. Arteriography, either selective celiac angiography or aortography characterized the tumors as being hypovascular and deriving their blood supplies from the hepatic arterial system. Lobar hepatectomies were performed in two children and the third tumor was unresectable. Grossly, the tumors were an admixture of cystic and solid areas with a myxomatous appearance. Undifferentiated tumor cells with bizarre cytologic features and well‐developed tubular structures were the principal histologic features. Bone, cartilage, fat, smooth or skeletal muscle were not identified histologically. One patient died of tumor 8 months after diagnosis, and the remaining two are living but with locally recurrent tumor.