Neuroblastoma in adults: Differential diagnosis of giant retroperitoneal mass

Abstract

Neuroblastoma develops from the cells of the primitive neural crest, although being the fourth most frequent cancer in childhood, it is seldom seen in adults, and when found in them, symptoms are usually nonspecific such as abdominal and lumbar pain, therefore, diagnosis is rarely suspected and often delayed. Imaging studies, such as abdominal computed tomography, identify laterality and size of the adrenal mass, which commonly has calcifications; blood work usually does not show abnormalities, excluding functional adrenal tumor. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathological examination. Surgical resection, when feasible, is the treatment of choice. We briefly reviewed diagnostic work-up, histopathological findings, and post-treatment outcome.

Keywords

• Neuroblastoma. Diagnosis. Adrenalectomy. Prognosis.