ABSTRACT
Neuroblastoma is responsible for 10% of all childhood tumours and 15% of all cancer deaths. At the time of diagnosis 50% of the patients are 24 months of age and 40% are 12 months of age. Mothers of neonates with congenital neuroblastoma occasionally experience flushing and hypertension during pregnancy as a result of catecholamine released from the fetal tumour in situ. An abdominal mass at presentation occurs in 50% to 75% of the cases, as 50% arise from the adrenal medulla. The tumour may be hard, nodular, fixed and tender on palpation. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma is made through a variety of radiological investigations, urinary catecholamine assay, histology and genetic evaluation. The International Neuroblastoma Staging System identifies distinct prognostic groups. Association of Beckwith-Wiedemann's syndrome and familial predisposition does not correlate with high risk. Infants and children less than one year of age with stage I, II and IV-S neuroblastoma have a good prognosis.
