title: Giant thoracoabdominal ganglioneuroblastoma in a 17-year-old patient.
abstract: The most common malignant neurogenic tumors in children are neuroblastic tumors, classified as ganglioneuroblastoma or neuroblastoma. Ganglioneuroblastomas usually occur at the sympathetic ganglia in the mediastinum, whereas neuroblastomas occur in the abdominal cavity. We describe a case of large posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma extending from the aortic arch to the left renal hilum in a 17-year-old boy. Despite chemotherapy, post-treatment computed tomography showed disease progression. The patient underwent a thoracolaparotomy incision and excision of the tumor. These malignant mediastinal tumors can potentially grow to a very large size. If alternative treatment has failed, resection can be accomplished with relative safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wessex Cardiac Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK dimoskaragel@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Dimos
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karangelis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wessex Cardiac Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolaidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wessex Cardiac Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roubelakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wessex Cardiac Centre, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Weeden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D013908:Thoracotomy; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin
keywords: Adolescent; ganglioneuroblastoma; peripheral nervous system neoplasms; thoracic surgery