Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Neoplasia, Multidisciplinary cancer care, Cancer, Staging, Diagnostic procedure, Contrast agent-intravenous, Ultrasound, MR, CT, Paediatric, Kidney, Retroperitoneum
Authors:
A. O. Pavel, O. Fufezan; Cluj-Napoca/RO
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-1739
Background
Unfortunately,
the pediatric population is susceptible to malignancies.
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in children and the third most common malignancy of childhood,
with only leukemia and primary brain tumors being more common.
Because of its aggressive nature and late staging at presentation,
it accounts for approximately 15% of childhood cancer deaths.
Often presenting with nonspecific symptoms mimicking benign disease,
the importance of diagnostic imaging is further emphasized.
Furthermore,
early detection is essential!
Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor of primitive neuroectodermal or neural crest cells that most commonly arises in the adrenal gland.
It is differentiated from its more benign counterparts,
ganglioneuroma and ganglioneuroblastoma,
by the degree of cellular maturation.
Possessing generally immature cells - neuroblasts -,
neuroblastoma is a markedly aggressive tumor with a tendency to invade adjacent structures and metastasize,
most commonly,
to liver and bone.
Neuroblastoma and Wilms tumors are the two common childhood malignancies which need to be differentiated.
An accurate diagnosis is of the utmost importance because of the different therapeutic management for these entities.
Medical imaging is essential to detecting disease,
generating a differential,
supporting the surgical plan,
staging,
evaluating response assessment,
monitoring for recurrence and predicting outcome.