Ganglioneuroblastoma in adults

Ganglioneuroblastoma is a rare neoplasm of adults. Some information about the natural history and response to therapy can be obtained from two cases seen recently at our hospital and 17 cases in the literature. These tumors occur in adults of any age and are usually located in the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, or neck. Evidence of the tumor may be present years before diagnosis. Elevations of urinary catecholamines were documented in three cases and the levels correlated with progression or resection of the neoplasm. The tumor spreads either by local invasion or distant metastasis. Attempts at radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of unresectable or disseminated tumor has not resulted in objective improvement. This contrasts with the widely reported objective successes and cures of ganglioneuroblastomas occurring in childhood. Surgical excision of localized disease was the only curative therapeutic modality in the cases we reviewed.