hepatoma /hep′ətō″mə/ pl. hepatomas, hepatomata [Gk, hēpar + oma, tumor] , a primary malignant tumor of the liver, which is relatively rare in the United States, characterized by hepatomegaly, pain, hypoglycemia, weight loss, anorexia, and ascites, as well as elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, portal hypertension, and jaundice in the plasma. It occurs most commonly in the sixth decade, and its incidence is higher in African-Americans than in Caucasians. It occurs most frequently in association with hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver and in those parts of the world where the mycotoxin aflatoxin is found. It is treated with surgical resection when isolated to one lobe of the liver. The prognosis is poor. Chemotherapy and liver transplantation are used in some centers.
