title: Neuroblastoma in monozygotic twins with distinct presentation pathology and outcome: is it familial or in utero metastasis.
abstract: To date ten sets of monozygotic twins with neuroblastoma have been reported in the literature. Twin-to-twin in utero metastasis have been proposed as the mechanism of tumor development in the second twin; based on similar pathology, presence of metastatic disease, absence of a primary tumor, and/or later presentation in the second twin. Hereditary neuroblastoma has not been described in this context. We propose that primary neuroblastoma can occur in monozygotic twins without twin-twin transmission; due to the different ages of presentation, histology, ploidy, and tumor behavior.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital/Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Rolla
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abu-Arja
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashem
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Sheikh
authors.forename: Ghada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abusin
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion; D005784:Gene Amplification; D016259:Genes, myc; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008954:Models, Biological; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D009778:Occipital Lobe; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics
keywords: molecular biology of neuroblastoma; neuroblastoma; neuroblastoma biology