title: Pathology of neuroblastic tumors.
abstract: Histogenesis, basic histologic features, nomenclature, and criteria for diagnosis and prognostic classifications based on morphological features of neuroblastic tumors (NTs) are described. NTs that arise from neuroectodermal cells of the adrenal medulla and sympathetic ganglia recapitulate the development of sympathetic ganglion. The following three basic types of NTs are recognized: neuroblastoma (NBs) and ganglioneuroblastomas (GNBs) and ganglioneuromas (GNs). NBs can be undifferentiated, poorly differentiated or differentiating; GNBs have the following three subtypes. (1) nodular, (2) intermixed, and (3) borderline. The conventional and recommended terminology and Shimada terminology of NTs are described (Tables 1 and 2). There are three basic pathologic components of NTs, neuroblastomatous, ganglioneuromatous, and intermediate components (Figs 3, 5, and 7). There are two major prognostic classifications based on morphological features of NTs, Shimada classification and histologic grading (Tables 3 and 4).
authors: Department of Pathology, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858-4354.
authors: V V
authors: VV
authors: Joshi
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology; D000818:Animals; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000196:embryology; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000254:growth & development; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*