Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is one of the top five causes of cancer in children, accounting for around 7-8% of childhood malignancies. The tumour arises from neural crest tissue of the adrenal medulla (the most common site) and sympathetic nervous system.

Median age of onset is around 20 months

Features

• abdominal mass
• pallor, weight loss
• bone pain, limp
• hepatomegaly
• paraplegia
• proptosis

Investigation

• raised urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels
• calcification may be seen on abdominal x-ray
• biopsy