Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Neuroblastoma
Introduction:
Tumor seen exclusively in childhood, which arise from sympathetic ganglion cells, most commonly in the adrenal gland.
Prevalence: Very Rare Metastasis Frequency: Common
References:
"Do sites of metastases in neuroblastoma correlate with biology?" http://www.asco.org/ascov2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=29&abstractID=9866
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1999 May-Jun;21(3):181-9. PMID: 10363850
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010 May;194(5):1223-9. PMID: 20410407
Poachedly, Carl. Neuroblastoma: Tumor Biology and Therapy
Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;10(2):275-302. PMID: 12424947
Primary Tumor:
Sorry, no description has been written for the primary tumor.
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Bone Marrow | Common | most common site of metastatic disease and important prognostic factor |
|
| Bone | Common | Permeative, Lytic, Periosteal Reaction | Metastatic involvement of the skull has been found in up to 25% of patients with neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is the most common malignant metastasis to the skull in children. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010 May;194(5):1223-9. PMID: 20410407 |
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | ||
| Liver | Common | Hepatomegaly | liver metastases are rare in traditional neuroblastoma, but hepatomegaly is a characteristic of "4S" disease - patient < 1 year, skin lesions ("blueberry baby"), and hepatomegaly |
| Orbit | Uncommon | See also Bone metastases. Tumor infiltration of the periorbital bones, typically unilateral, can cause the characteristic periorbital ecchymosis ("raccoon eyes"), ptosis, and proptosis. Seen in 15% of patients. |
|
| Lung Parenchyma | Rare | Nodule | |
| Dura (Meninges) | Very Rare | ||
| Brain | Very Rare | Hemorrhagic | |
| Skin (Cutaneous and Subcutaneous) | Very Rare | ||
| Testes | Very Rare |