Neuroblastoma in the adult. Case report.
BACKGROUND
Neuroblastoma is a common malignancy in infancy but extremely rare in adults. These tumors, commonly found in the abdomen, originate in the sympathetic nervous system. Staging and management are standardized in children and adults, although their prognosis is very different, being more aggressive and with a poorer outcome in the adult.


METHODS
We present the case of a 31-year-old male with non-specific abdominal pain and constipation. After several studies, a stage III giant retroperitoneal neuroblastoma was diagnosed. We discuss here the evaluation, management and follow-up of the patient. A literature review is presented as well.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult neuroblastoma is an unusual disease with an insidious presentation and is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Unlike its behavior in young patients, in the adult it is more aggressive and with a poor prognosis.
Zerrweck-López
Carlos
C
Departamento de Cirugía General y Oncológica, Centro Médico ABC, México, D.F., Mexico. zerrweck@yahoo.com
Quijano-Orvañanos
Fernando
F
Montañez-Ramírez
Horacio
H
Murillo-Zolezzi
Adrián
A
Toledo-Valdovinos
Sergio
S
Padilla-Longoria
Rafael
R
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed