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Neuroblastoma catecholamine biology — MRCPCH TAS MCQ

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HardPathologyNeuroblastoma catecholamine biologyMRCPCH TAS

A 2-year-old has weight loss, periorbital bruising and an abdominal mass crossing the midline. Urine vanillylmandelic acid is raised. What is the most likely cell of origin?

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Correct answer: E — Neural crest-derived sympathetic tissue

Neuroblastoma arises from neural crest-derived sympathetic tissue and commonly produces catecholamine metabolites such as VMA. Metanephric blastema is the origin of Wilms tumour, which classically arises from the kidney. The pearl is that periorbital ecchymoses can occur with metastatic neuroblastoma.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics; RCPCH Theory examination syllabi; Lissauer's Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics