[Neonatal tumors]

Tumors affecting the fetus and newborn differ from those found in older children and adults, leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

To evaluate the main clinical aspects related to neonatal tumors.

Retrospective analysis of clinical data from newborn patients admitted to the Service of Neonatology of São João Hospital between 1996 and 2006, with the diagnosis of tumor or neoplasia.

Total = 32 cases, 16M/16F, birth weight: 3146 g (965-4590), gestational age 38 weeks (28-41), seven (22%) preterm, C-section rate 75% (n = 24), two with EXIT procedure.

Teratoma (n = 8); lymphangioma (n = 7), neuroblastoma (n = 6), haemangioma (n = 5), other solid tumors (n = 6); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 1). Prenatal diagnosis 50% (n = 16). Teratoma: immature (n = 3); mature (n = 5), sacrococcygeal location (n = 5); cervical (n = 3); total macroscopic resection (n = 8). Cystic lymphangioma: cervical location (n = 5); cervicothoracic location (n = 1); thoracoabdominal location (n = 1); total macroscopic resection (n = 7). NEUROBLASTOMA: abdominal location (n = 5); cervical location (n = 1); deletion 1p (n = 0); oncogene n-myc amplification (n = 0); stage I (n = 1); IIB (n = 1); III (n = 3); IV (n = 1). Chemotherapy (n = 5), according to the <> (n = 2), surgical resection (n = 4). Four patients remain without disease and two present with residual disease. OTHER SOLID TUMORS: Large haemangiomas (n = 5); scaly papiloma (n = 1); juvenile xanthogranuloma (n = 1); lipoblastoma (n = 1); nephroma (n = 1); nonclassified neoplasm, possible nervous sheath sarcoma (n = 1). All patients showed a good clinical evolution. Acute lymphoblast leukemia (n = 1), deceased.

Pre-natal diagnosis allows the planning of a careful multidisciplinary approach. In these rare entities it is crucial to pursue international collaboration, ideally workgroup committees, aiming for better clinical knowledge and an improved prognosis.