Keywords

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Definition

Neuroblastoma, a malignant neoplasm typically found in children 10 years old or younger, arises from the sympathetic nervous system and commonly originates from the adrenal glands, though it can also arise from the nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis. It is a neuroendocrine tumor that is extracranial, although it often metastasizes, and multiple metastases can be found in the brain and skull. Cells resemble primitive developing nerve cells and present a challenging malignancy to cure. It is one of the few cancers in children that can cause paraneoplastic syndromes such as diarrhea, myoclonus, or opsoclonus, because it can cause the release of hormones. Clinical behaviors range from spontaneous remission to rapid tumor progression, and death in 60% of cases.

Cross-References