Chronic metastatic neuroblastoma.
The diversity of neuroblastoma and its clinical course depends on histology, biology and clinical features. We report a male presenting at 4 months of age with an abdominal mass and multiple subcutaneous nodules. The diagnosis was made by histological examination of a subcutaneous nodule and elevated urinary markers. The patient remained well during the subsequent 9 years. During that time no cytostatic treatment was given. Attempt to treat with cis-retinoic acid 10 years later did not result in any significant change of the clinical course. The patient has remained in good clinical condition for a 15-year observation period, having both progressing and regressing distant subcutaneous metastases. Skin nodules are the hallmarks of the indolent clinical course of the disease. We suggest the use of the "chronic neuroblastoma" as a term to describe patients with neuroblastoma showing indolent disease course over a very long period of time, but never achieving complete remission.
Kazanowska
Bernarda
B
Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
Reich
Adam
A
Jelen
Michal
M
Chybicka
Alicja
A
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin