From the Guidelines
The most common intra-abdominal solid tumor in children is neuroblastoma (option b). Neuroblastoma arises from primitive neural crest cells of the sympathetic nervous system and accounts for approximately 8-10% of all childhood cancers, as stated in the NCCN Guidelines for Neuroblastoma 1. It most commonly originates in the adrenal gland but can develop anywhere along the sympathetic chain. According to the guidelines, neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor diagnosed in children 1. The tumor often presents as an abdominal mass that parents may notice during bathing or changing their child. Other symptoms can include fever, weight loss, irritability, and bone pain if metastasis has occurred. While nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor) is also common, it specifically affects the kidney and occurs less frequently than neuroblastoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children but is not as common as neuroblastoma in the abdomen. Fibrosarcoma is relatively rare in the pediatric population compared to these other tumors. Key characteristics of neuroblastoma include:
- Accounts for approximately 8-10% of all childhood cancers
- Most commonly originates in the adrenal gland
- Typically affects younger children, with about 90% of cases diagnosed before age 5
- Often presents as an abdominal mass
- Can cause symptoms such as fever, weight loss, irritability, and bone pain if metastasis has occurred, as noted in the NCCN Guidelines for Neuroblastoma 1.
From the Research
Intra-Abdominal Solid Tumors in Children
- The most common intra-abdominal solid tumor in children is neuroblastoma, as stated in studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Characteristics of Neuroblastoma
- Neuroblastoma is a common solid extracranial tumor developing in pediatric populations, derived from primitive cells of the neural crest in the sympathetic nervous system 2.
- It usually develops in the adrenal medulla and paraspinal ganglia, and can spontaneously regress or grow and metastasize displaying resistance to therapy 2.
Comparison with Other Tumors
- Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric abdominal solid tumor, accounting for ~11% of all pediatric cancers and 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths 3.
- Other common pediatric abdominal malignancies include Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma, each with unique characteristics and behavior reflected in their respective staging systems 5, 6.