Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumour of sympathetic neural-crest tissue, usually adrenal or paraspinal, with behaviour ranging from spontaneous regression in selected infants to aggressive metastatic disease; a child with an abdominal mass and systemic or neurological features needs urgent specialist assessment.
Definition
Neuroblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumour of primitive sympathetic neural-crest cells. It can arise anywhere along the sympathetic chain, most commonly in the adrenal or abdominal region, and can spread to bone, marrow, liver, skin, lymph nodes and other sites.
First principles
It follows sympathetic tissue
Neuroblastoma arises from primitive neural-crest cells of the sympathetic nervous system. The primary site may be adrenal, abdominal, thoracic, cervical or pelvic, and a paraspinal tumour can extend through neural foramina and compress the cord. An abdominal tumour may encase vessels and cross the midline, but this is a useful clue rather than a diagnostic rule.
This page is exam revision material, not medical advice, and must not be used for patient care. Always check drug doses against the BNF and current guidance. Full disclaimer.