[Thoracic neuroblastoma in a young adult].
METHODS
A 21-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital because of massively enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Additionally, a left-sided facial and brachial edema was visible. Auscultation of the left lung was remarkable for diminished breath sounds.


RESULTS
Diagnostic imaging showed an extensive thoracic tumor and enlarged mediastinal and cervical lymph nodes. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma was established by biopsy.


METHODS
The patient was treated with a polychemotherapy protocol according to the pediatric neuroblastoma study NB97. Subsequently, the patient underwent partial tumor resection, received two further chemotherapy courses and irradiation of the remaining tumor. Because of residual vital tumor cells, a second surgical tumour reduction followed by high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell support was performed. Two cycles of high-dose retinoic acid followed. Six months after the end of therapy, the patient is in a good condition despite of the presence of residual tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuroblastoma is a very rare tumor in adult patients. Therapy is multimodal and should follow pediatric guidelines for neuroblastoma treatment.
Sucker
C
C
Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin C, Greifswald, Germany.
Dölken
G
G
Lorenz
G
G
Fiedler
W
W
Stockschläder
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012086:Reoperation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014212:Tretinoin