URORADIOLOGY

Findings reveal a large right suprarenal mass lesion with liver metastasis. Right kidney is pushed inferiorly. The left kidney is normal.

Diagnosis

Neuroblastoma with liver metastasis

Discussion

Neuroblastoma is a common solid tumor of childhood. These tumors originate from neural crest cells in the sympathetic nervous system, and can appear anywhere along this chain, but are most commonly found near the adrenal gland and in the chest. Neuroblastoma accounts for seven to 10 percent of childhood cancers, and 50% of all malignancies encountered in infants. Boys are slightly more likely to develop neuroblastoma than girls.

If the tumor has not spread to other parts of the body, surgery usually is curative. Unfortunately, in many cases by the time of diagnosis the disease has usually spread. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in these cases. The type of chemotherapy and its intensity are determined by the age of the patient and the extent of the disease. Radiation therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy is also effective.

Dr. Bhujang Pai, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai