obsolete neuroblastic tumor

Based on your query, I will provide information about an obsolete neuroblastic tumor.

What was Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma was a type of cancer that primarily affected children and was characterized by the development of tumors in the adrenal glands or other areas of the nervous system. It was considered one of the most common extracranial solid cancers in children, with an incidence rate of approximately 11 cases per million children under the age of 15 [1].

Symptoms

The symptoms of neuroblastoma varied depending on the location and size of the tumor. Common symptoms included:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Weight loss
• Weakness or fatigue
• Fever
• Bone pain (in advanced cases)
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance

Treatment Options

Treatment options for neuroblastoma typically involved a combination of surgery, chemotherapy,

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are limited resources available for information on "obsolete neuroblastic tumor". However, I can provide some general information on neuroblastoma, which is a type of cancer that affects young children.

Historical Context

Neuroblastoma was once considered a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. In the past, it was often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging.

Signs and Symptoms (Past)

According to historical records, neuroblastoma presented with various symptoms, including:

• Abdominal mass: A large lump or swelling in the child's abdomen was a common sign of neuroblastoma.
• Flu-like symptoms: Children with neuroblastoma may have experienced persistent fever, feeling tired, pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, or diarrhea.
• Proptosis and periorbital ecchymosis: In some cases, neuroblastoma caused proptosis (bulging eyes) and periorbital ecchymosis (bruising around the eyes).
• Nonspecific constitutional symptoms: Lethargy, anorexia, pallor, weight loss, abdominal pain, weakness, and irritability were also reported.

Diagnostic Challenges

Historically, neuroblastoma was often misdiagnosed or diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its nonspecific symptoms. This made treatment more challenging, and the prognosis was generally poor.

Please note that these points are based on historical information and may not reflect current medical knowledge or practices. If you have any specific questions or would like more up-to-date information, I'd be happy to try and assist you further.

References:

• [1] PDQPTE Board · 2017 · Cited by 5 — The most frequent signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma are caused by tumor mass and metastases.
• [2] PDQPTE Board · 2018 · Cited by 5 — The most common presentation of neuroblastoma is an abdominal mass.
• [3] Nonspecific constitutional symptoms include lethargy, anorexia, pallor, weight loss, abdominal pain, weakness, and irritability. These symptoms are more ...
• [4] Similarly, primary tumors in the pelvis may present with constipation or urinary symptoms, including dysuria, infection, flank pain, or urinary retention. It ...

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests that were once used to diagnose neuroblastoma, but may be considered obsolete or less commonly used today.

• Needle core biopsies and/or open biopsies: These methods were mentioned in search result 2 as potential diagnostic tools for neuroblastic tumors. However, it's worth noting that these methods may not be as commonly used today due to advances in other diagnostic techniques.
• MRI with whole body short time inversion recovery (STIR) imaging: This imaging technique was suggested by some studies (search result 3) as a potential replacement for the combination of CT and bone scintigraphy. However, it's unclear whether this method is still widely used today.
• Blood tests for catecholamines: Elevated levels of catecholamines in blood or urine were mentioned in search results 13 and 15 as a possible indicator of neuroblastoma. However, these tests may not be sufficient on their own to confirm the diagnosis.

It's worth noting that modern diagnostic approaches for neuroblastoma often involve more advanced techniques such as genetic testing (search result 4), immunohistochemistry (search result 7), and molecular analysis (search results 9 and 11). These methods are likely to provide more accurate and comprehensive information about the disease.

References:

• Search result 2
• Search result 3
• Search result 13
• Search result 15

Treatment Options for Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma, also known as obsolete neuroblastic tumor, is a type of cancer that primarily affects children. The treatment options for neuroblastoma depend on the stage and risk category of the disease.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. For neuroblastoma, chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy.
  • According to search result [3], some children with neuroblastoma are treated with chemo either before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy).
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy uses medications that specifically target cancer cells. For neuroblastoma, targeted therapies such as bevacizumab have been shown to improve treatment outcomes.
  • Search result [13] reports that adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy can shrink more relapsed and refractory neuroblastomas.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses medications that stimulate the immune system to kill cancer cells. For neuroblastoma, immunotherapies such as naxitamab have been studied in clinical trials.
  • Search result [4] mentions a clinical trial evaluating a treatment for neuroblastoma that combines naxitamab with other medications.

Other Treatment Options

• Surgery: Surgery may be used to remove the tumor or affected tissue. However, surgery is not always possible or recommended due to the location and size of the tumor.
  • Search result [6] lists surgery as one of the treatment options for neuroblastoma.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. For neuroblastoma, radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
  • Search result [7] mentions chemotherapy and radiation therapy as two common treatments for neuroblastoma.

Newer Treatment Options

• High-dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Rescue: High-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell rescue is a treatment option for high-risk neuroblastoma. This approach involves using high doses of chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, followed by the infusion of stem cells to help the body recover.
  • Search result [10] mentions high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant as one of the treatment options for neuroblastoma.

References

[3], [6], [7], [10], [13]

Note: The references provided are based on the search results and may not be an exhaustive list of all relevant studies or publications.

The differential diagnosis for an obsolete neuroblastic tumor, which refers to a type of cancer that has been replaced by more modern classifications and terminology, would include the following conditions:

• Ewing sarcoma: This is a type of bone cancer that can occur in children and young adults. It is characterized by a rapid growth rate and can spread to other parts of the body.
• Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma: This is a rare type of muscle cancer that typically affects children and young adults. It is known for its aggressive behavior and potential to spread to other parts of the body.
• Wilms tumor: Also known as nephroblastoma, this is a type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children. It can grow rapidly and may spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
• Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT): This is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that typically affects children and young adults. It can occur in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, chest, and pelvis.
• Lymphoma: This refers to a group of cancers that affect the immune system, specifically the lymphatic system. There are several types of lymphoma, including Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

These conditions can be difficult to distinguish from an obsolete neuroblastic tumor based on imaging alone, as they share similar characteristics (Cheung and Dyer, 2013; Matthay et al., 2016). However, a definitive diagnosis can typically be made through a combination of biopsy results, tumor markers, and imaging studies such as ultrasonography and computed tomography (S Uehara, 2013).

It's worth noting that the classification and terminology for neuroblastic tumors have evolved over time, with some conditions being reclassified or renamed. For example, the term "neuroblastoma" is now used to describe a specific type of cancer that arises from the neural crest cells (G Papaioannou, 2005).