Prenatal diagnosis of neuroblastoma

Abstract

Fetal malignancies are rare complications during pregnancies, but when they appear, they are very challenging for the peri natology team. Because of their low incidence, the information is limited, with data provided from individual case reports or small case series. Although neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial solid tumor in childhood, pre natal diagnosis by ultrasound is very rare and almost always discovered during routine third trimester ultrasound. Expectant management is usually indicated prenatally, with serial ultrasound examination. Delivery should be planned in a tertiary center together with pediatric oncologists and surgeons to allow appropriate postnatal management. We present two cases of neuroblastoma diagnosed at 36 and 33 weeks of gestation with multiple aspects of this tumor identified by ultrasound. Both cases needed surgery and had a favorable outcome. The key role of ultrasound in diagnosis and followup of neuroblastoma in pregnancy is discussed, together with the management options recommended in literature.