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Synchronous Hepatoblastoma and Neuroblastoma in Two Chinese Infants
Bo Shao1, Yi-Zhen Wang1, Yuan Fang1
1Department of Pathology, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, Hefei, China.
Insights
Synchronous pediatric tumors like hepatoblastoma (HBL) and neuroblastoma (NBL) are rare. These two cases showed no significant genetic mutations, suggesting unique tumor development pathways.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Genetics
- Tumorigenesis
Background:
- Pediatric solid tumors typically arise independently.
- Synchronous occurrence of hepatoblastoma (HBL) and neuroblastoma (NBL) is exceptionally rare, with only two prior reported cases.
- This report details two new cases of synchronous HBL and NBL in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two new cases of synchronous hepatoblastoma and neuroblastoma in infants.
- To investigate the genetic basis of synchronous pediatric tumors.
- To contribute to understanding rare tumor co-occurrences.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two infants presenting with abdominal masses.
- Diagnostic imaging including computed tomography (CT) scans.
- Histopathological confirmation of tumors.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) for germline mutation analysis.
- Surgical resection and chemotherapy treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- Two Chinese infants (10 and 8 months old) presented with synchronous hepatoblastoma and neuroblastoma.
- Imaging revealed hepatic masses with concurrent mediastinal or adrenal masses.
- Pathology confirmed HBL in the liver and NBL in the mediastinum/adrenal glands.
- NGS analysis detected no significant germline mutations in either patient.
- Both patients underwent successful surgical resection and chemotherapy, with good recovery.
Conclusions:
- Synchronous hepatoblastoma and neuroblastoma are exceedingly rare pediatric malignancies.
- These cases highlight the potential for co-occurrence without identifiable significant germline genetic alterations.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind such rare tumor pairings.
Abstract:
Background: Commonly, pediatric solid tumors occur independently. Only two patients with synchronous hepatoblastoma (HBL) and neuroblastoma (NBL) have been reported. Case reports: Two Chinese infants presented with abdominal mass at 10 and 8 months. Computed tomography (CT) scans in both revealed hepatic masses with additional mediastinal or adrenal masses. Pathology confirmed synchronous HBLs in the liver and NBLs in the mediastinum and adrenal. Next generation sequencing (NGS) found no remarkable germline mutations. Both patients received gross total resections with chemotherapy before or after surgery. They were followed up for 36 and 8 months, and recovered well. Conclusion: These two cases of synchronous HBL and NBL tumors lacked significant genetic alterations.
