Neuroblastoma

A neuroblastoma is a tumour derived from neural crest tissue and so, is properly regarded as an APUD tumour. They are the most common extracranial solid tumour in children, with the majority of patients being diagnosed before the age of 5.

The most common sites are:

• 50% adrenal medulla
• 25% abdominal sympathetic ganglia
• 20% chest
• 5% pelvis
• 5% neck

Extra abdominal sites generally have a better prognosis. In addition, the prognosis is usually very good for patients with low-risk disease but poor for those with high-risk disease.

There is a wide spectrum of disease and in situ tumours with spontaneous remission may occur 30 times as frequently as symptomatic tumours.

Reference

1. Brodeur G, Hogarty M, Bagatell R, et al. Neuroblastoma. In: Pizzo P, Poplack D, eds. Principles and practice of pediatric oncology. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2016:772.