Neuroblastoma in uncommon age group - A case series diagnosed on cytology

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant neoplasm in early childhood. It is rare in the adult population.

We aimed to study the incidence of neuroblastoma in the uncommon age group diagnosed on cytology.

A prospective descriptive study spanning 2 years from December 2020 to January 2022 was done, in which neuroblastoma cases diagnosed by Fine needle aspiration cytology aged >12 years were collected. The clinical, cytomorphological and immunohistochemical findings were studied. Histopathological correlation was done wherever available.

We identified three cases of neuroblastoma during this period. Two cases were middle-aged adults, and one was an adolescent. All cases presented with abdominal masses and revealed small round cell tumor on cytology. Two cases fell into undifferentiated category and one case fell into the poorly differentiated subtype. All cases were positive for neuroendocrine markers. Histopathological correlation was available in two cases. MYC N amplification was absent in all cases.

It differs from pediatric neuroblastoma due to the lack of classical histomorphological features and molecular alterations. Adult-onset neuroblastomas carry a worse prognosis than childhood tumors.