Pediatric Solid Tumors of Infancy: An Overview

1. Wendy Allen-Rhoades, MD, FAAP* 2. Sarah B. Whittle, MD, MS, FAAP* 3. Nino Rainusso, MD, FAAP* 1. *Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital Cancer and Hematology Centers, Houston, TX * Abbreviations: AFP: : α-fetoprotein ASCT: : autologous stem cell transplant CT: : computed tomography FDA: : Food and Drug Administration MRI: : magnetic resonance imaging OMS: : opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome VIP: : vasoactive intestinal peptide 123I-MIBG: : 123I-meta-iodo-benzylguanidine Pediatricians should recognize the role of age, genetic factors, and syndromes that predispose to the development of certain pediatric solid tumors. Many symptoms of common childhood illnesses that progress or do not resolve in a timely manner should require a detailed evaluation and prompt referral to a cancer specialist. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the presenting signs and symptoms of pediatric solid tumors (eg, abdominal mass, constipation, shortness of breath, back pain, bone pain, fever, and hypertension). 2. Identify the signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and Wilms tumor. 3. Recommend genetic evaluation and close disease surveillance for patients with certain solid tumors or particular predisposing conditions. 4. Recognize general aspects of the multidisciplinary treatment approach in children with retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and Wilms tumor. Pediatric solid tumors are a group of nonhematologic, extracranial cancers that occur during childhood. This heterogeneous group of tumors represents approximately 40% of all pediatric cancers (Fig 1). Many pediatric solid tumors are referred to as embryonal or developmental cancers because they arise in young children or adolescents as a result of alterations in the processes of organogenesis or normal growth. In this review, we address common symptoms developed in children diagnosed as having malignant solid tumors and offer a general description of the most common pediatric solid tumors in infants and young children. Common malignant solid tumors in adolescents will be addressed in a separate article. Figure 1. Percentage distribution of pediatric cancers and solid tumors in children …