Journal Home
Login
Register
Open Access Journal
Submit a Paper
Propose a Special lssue
Open Access
ARTICLE
Neonatal Neuroblastoma: A Monograph on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management
Issue Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): Volume 01 Issue 01 --- Section Articles
pdf
Abstract
Neuroblastoma presenting in the neonatal period is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous entity with a wide spectrum of behaviors, from spontaneous regression to aggressive progression. This review synthesizes the current understanding of the disease to provide a clear framework for diagnosis and management. Based on a comprehensive review of foundational and recent literature, this article covers the key domains of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and prognosis. Neonatal neuroblastoma accounts for approximately 5% of all cases and is driven by molecular features like MYCN amplification. Clinical presentations are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic masses to life-threatening emergencies. Diagnosis relies on urinary catecholamines, multi-modal imaging, and histopathology, with the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) system being critical for classification. The management has evolved to a successful risk-stratified approach where active observation is standard for low-risk disease, while surgery and chemotherapy are reserved for higher-risk patients. This strategy allows for therapy de-escalation in the majority of infants, leading to excellent survival in low- and intermediate-risk groups, though the prognosis for high-risk disease remains poor.
Keywords
References
1. Alikärri S, Raitio A, Losty PD. Pre and postoperative diarrhoea associated with neuroblastoma resection – A systematic review of published studies. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023;49(10):106921.
2. Matthay KK, et al. Neuroblastoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16078.
3. Maris JM, et al. Neuroblastoma. Lancet. 2007;369(9579):2106–2120.
4. Gutierrez JC, et al. Markedly improving survival of neuroblastoma: a 30-year analysis of 1,646 patients. Pediatr Surg Int. 2007;23(7):637–646.
5. Gigliotti AR, et al. Neuroblastoma in the newborn. A study of the Italian Neuroblastoma Registry. Eur J Cancer. 2009;45(18):3220–3227.
6. Evans AR. Congenital neuroblastoma. J Clin Pathol. 1965;18(1):54–62.
7. Rivasi F, et al. Congenital fetal neuroblastoma. Ann Pathol. 2001;21(1):76–80.
8. Moppett J, Haddadin I, Foot AB. Neonatal neuroblastoma. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1999;81(2):F134–F137.
9. Park Y, et al. Prenatally detected thoracic neuroblastoma. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2018;61(2):278–281.
10. Jnah AJ, et al. Neuroblastoma in a Neonate: A Case Report. Neonatal Netw. 2019;38(6):341–347.
11. Mastro-Martínez I, et al. Acute shock secondary to congenital neuroblastoma: Neonatal case report. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2019;117(2):e163–e166.
12. Harvey JA, Gray ES. Paravertebral neuroblastoma in a macerated fetus. Histopathology. 1988;12(6):670–672.
13. Montero Domínguez C, et al. Biochemical analysis in congenital neuroblastoma. Adv Lab Med. 2023;4(1):120–127.
14. Minakova E, Lang J. Congenital Neuroblastoma. Neoreviews. 2020;21(11):e716–e727.
15. Barco S, et al. Urinary homovanillic and vanillylmandelic acid in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma: report from the Italian Cooperative Group for Neuroblastoma. Clin Biochem. 2014;47(9):848–852.
16. Fisher JPH, Tweddle DA. Neonatal neuroblastoma. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012;17(4):207–215.
17. Holgersen LO, et al. Spontaneous resolution of antenatally diagnosed adrenal masses. J Pediatr Surg. 1996;31(1):153–155.
18. Acharya S, et al. Prenatally diagnosed neuroblastoma. Cancer. 1997;80(2):304–310.
19. Sauvat F, et al. Outcome of suprarenal localized masses diagnosed during the perinatal period: a retrospective multicenter study. Cancer. 2002;94(9):2474–2480.
20. Oue T, et al. Profile of neuroblastoma detected by mass screening, resected after observation without treatment: results of the Wait and See pilot study. J Pediatr Surg. 2005;40(2):359–363.
21. Kerbl R, et al. Connatal localized neuroblastoma. The case to delay treatment. Cancer. 1996;77(7):1395–1401.
22. Cohn SL, et al. The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classification system: an INRG Task Force report. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(2):289–297.
23. Ikeda H, et al. Surgical treatment of neuroblastomas in infants under 12 months of age. J Pediatr Surg. 1998;33(8):1246–1250.
