Case Study Giant thoracoabdominal ganglioneuroblastoma in a 17-year-old patient

The most common malignant neurogenic tumors in children are neuroblastic tumors, classified as ganglioneuroblastoma or neuroblastoma. Ganglioneuroblastomas usually occur at the sympathetic ganglia in the mediastinum, whereas neuro-blastomas occur in the abdominal cavity. We describe a case of large posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma extending from the aortic arch to the left renal hilum in a 17-year-old boy. Despite chemotherapy, post-treatment computed tomography showed disease progression. The patient underwent a thoracolaparotomy incision and excision of the tumor. These malignant mediastinal tumors can potentially grow to a very large size. If alternative treatment has failed, resection can be accomplished with relative safety