Retropharyngeal neuroblastoma in an infant: management without surgery

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2010 May;32(4):e160-3. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e3181d41384.

Abstract

Retropharyngeal neuroblastoma is rare. We report a 3-month-old infant with retropharyngeal neuroblastoma presenting with airway compression, which had an unresectable localized tumor without N-myc amplification. He was promptly treated with chemotherapy, resulting in a dramatic resolution. Subsequently, he received no surgical intervention and is well without evidence of recurrence 10 months after completion of chemotherapy. A review of the literature reveals that retropharyngeal neuroblastoma in infants has a good prognosis, but with some risk of surgical complication. Thus, it might be better to treat unresectable, localized disease accompanied by life-threatening symptoms with chemotherapy alone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Genes, myc / genetics
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neuroblastoma / diagnosis
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome