BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is a common malignancy in infancy but extremely rare in adults. These tumors, commonly found in the abdomen, originate in the sympathetic nervous system. Staging and management are standardized in children and adults, although their prognosis is very different, being more aggressive and with a poorer outcome in the adult. CLINICAL CASE: We present the case of a 31-year-old male with non-specific abdominal pain and constipation. After several studies, a stage III giant retroperitoneal neuroblastoma was diagnosed. We discuss here the evaluation, management and follow-up of the patient. A literature review is presented as well. CONCLUSIONS: Adult neuroblastoma is an unusual disease with an insidious presentation and is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Unlike its behavior in young patients, in the adult it is more aggressive and with a poor prognosis.
BACKGROUND:Neuroblastoma is a common malignancy in infancy but extremely rare in adults. These tumors, commonly found in the abdomen, originate in the sympathetic nervous system. Staging and management are standardized in children and adults, although their prognosis is very different, being more aggressive and with a poorer outcome in the adult. CLINICAL CASE: We present the case of a 31-year-old male with non-specific abdominal pain and constipation. After several studies, a stage III giant retroperitoneal neuroblastoma was diagnosed. We discuss here the evaluation, management and follow-up of the patient. A literature review is presented as well. CONCLUSIONS: Adult neuroblastoma is an unusual disease with an insidious presentation and is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Unlike its behavior in young patients, in the adult it is more aggressive and with a poor prognosis.
Authors: Triq Habib; Jamal T Hamdi; Waleed Hussain; Wail Almiamini; Khaled Hamdi; Abdul Majid Wani; Najah Rashid Al Zeyani Journal: BMJ Case Rep Date: 2010-09-19