Neuroblastoma
stands
out among pediatric solid tumors
because of its relative
frequency, intriguing natural history,
prognostic biologic features,
and therapeutic challenges. It is the
most common extracranial
pediatric solid tumor and the most
common neoplasm in infancy;
>90% of the
 600
cases diagnosed annually in
the United States are in children
 5
y old
Origin
from precursors of the sympathetic
nervous system accounts for
(a) primary sites in adrenal glands and
in paraspinal locations from
neck to pelvis and (b) high urinary
levels of catecholamines
in >90% of cases. This embryonal
neoplasm often encases vascular
structures and, unlike most solid
cancers, usually presents
with substantial
metastatic
disease (bone, bone marrow, lymph
nodes, liver; spread to lung or
brain is rare). Hence, defining
disease status requires CT (or
MRI), bone scan, metaiodobenzylguanidine
(MIBG) scan, bone marrow tests,
and urine catecholamine measurements
*
Catecholamines -
Urine
Alternate Names : Adrenalin-Urine Test,
Dopamine-Urine Test, Epinephrine-Urine
Test, Homovanillic Acid (HVA), HVA,
Metanephrine, Norepinephrine-Urine Test,
Normetanephrine, Urine Catecholamines,
Urine Metanephrine, Vanillylmandelic
Acid (VMA), VMA
|
What abnormal
results mean: |
Elevated levels of
urinary
catecholamines may
indicate:
-
acute anxiety
-
ganglioblastoma
(very rare)
-
ganglioneuroma
(very rare)
-
neuroblastoma
(rare)
-
pheochromocytoma
(rare)
-
severe stress
|
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