Master Neuroblastoma Diagnosis and Management with Picmonic for Medicine

Neuroblastoma cells metabolize catecholamines and therefore over 90% of patients present with increased levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) which are catecholamine degradation products. Measuring HVA and VMA in a 24-hour urine test is usually performed initially. Urinary levels of HVA and VMA are also used for disease follow-up.

Neuroblastoma cells express enzymes that metabolize catecholamines. The degradation of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine leads to the formation of homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA). Over 90% of patients with neuroblastoma present with increased levels of HVA and VMA in serum and urine.

Homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) are catecholamine metabolites. Elevated levels of HVA and VMA in a 24-hour urine study in addition to positive imaging and clinical findings should raise concern for neuroblastoma. Elevated HVA and VMA are present in over 90% of patients with neuroblastoma. 24-hour urine collection is no longer considered a required test since spot or random urinary catecholamine levels can be used instead in the diagnostic workup and are more practical.

Ultrasound and plain radiographs are usually performed initially depending on the presenting symptoms. When patients present with an abdominal mass, an ultrasound is usually performed first to exlude other causes such as Wilms tumor. Ultrasound findings include the presence of a heterogeneous mass arising from the adrenal gland or sympathetic chain ganglia, areas of calcification, and vascularity on Doppler.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred radiologic study for the evaluation of neuroblastoma. MRI should be conducted in the primary site and also in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to evaluate for metastasis. Computerized tomography (CT scan) is also sometimes conducted to identify the primary site but MRI is the imaging study of choice.

Image-guided needle aspiration of the tumor is required for genetic and histological evaluation. The specimen must be evaluated for N-myc gene amplification and evaluation of DNA ploidy since these are markers of severity and help determine treatment. Bone marrow biopsy of iliac crests is also performed.

One of the histological findings in neuroblastoma is the presence of small round blue cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Other childhood tumors that present under light microscopy as small round blue cells include rhabdomyosarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma.

Homer-wright rosettes can be observed when analyzing aspirated bone marrow. They consist of round blue cells that are separated by a fibrillar matrix. Homer-Wright rosettes can also be found in medulloblastoma.

Bombesin is a neuropeptide that is released from neuroblastoma tumor cells and promotes cell growth. It serves as a tumor marker and is notable in small cell carcinoma of the lung and gastric cancer.

Neuron specific enolase (NSE) is an important marker in neuroendocrine tumors. It is a clinical marker in neuroblastoma and has shown to be useful for prognostic evaluation.

Surgery can be a definitive treatment for low-risk neuroblastoma. Low-risk neuroblastoma is characterized by features such as localized disease, favorable histological findings, no amplification of n-MYC, and age of presentation younger than 12 months. For high-risk neuroblastoma, surgery must be accompanied by multimodal treatment.

Chemotherapy is part of the core management for patients with intermediate and high-risk neuroblastoma. Multiagent regimens are commonly used which include drugs such as cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, etoposide, and topotecan.

Due to the risks associated with radiation in children, radiotherapy is reserved for high-risk neuroblastoma.