Which infant liver tumor is most commonly a vascular tumor presenting in infancy?

• A. Hemangioendothelioma
• B. Hepatoblastoma
• C. Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• D. Angiosarcoma

Answer: (A)

Infant liver tumors that are clearly vascular and arise in the first months of life are most commonly described as hemangioendotheliomas. This lesion, often termed infantile hepatic hemangioma, originates from the lining of blood vessels and is by far the most common vascular tumor seen in the liver of infants. It fits the scenario of a vascular tumor presenting early in life, and many cases show rapid growth or vascular shunting that can lead to high-output heart effects.

The other tumors listed do not share this vascular, infancy-presentation pattern. Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant liver tumor in children but is not primarily a vascular tumor. Hepatocellular carcinoma is rare in infancy and not characteristically vascular in origin. Angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive vascular tumor and is not typically seen in infancy.

So, the vascular infant liver tumor that presents in infancy is hemangioendothelioma.