[Neuroblastoma in adolescence. Report of a new case].

Objective: To report an uncommon case of neuroblastoma in adolescence.

Methods: A case of neuroblastoma in adolescence is presented. The etiological and pathogenetic factors, clinical and laboratory findings, behavior and treatments are discussed.

Results/conclusions: Neuroblastoma and related tumors, ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma are derived from primordial neural crest cells that migrate in the embrionary period and populate the primordial sympathetic ganglia and adrenal medulla. Neuroblastoma, the least differentiated, resembles the fetal adrenal medulla. The peak age at the time of presentation is about 18 months and only sporadic cases occur during adolescence, as the case described herein, or adult life.