VISUAL PRESENTATION OF THE STAGING OF PEDIATRIC SOLID TUMORS

Staging systems are used in staging most pediatric solid tumors outsid e the central nervous system, Common solid, nonneurologic pediatric tu mors include Liver tumors, Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilm s tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and osteosarc oma. Traditional staging of pediatric tumors depends on the anatomic d istribution of the malignant disease, Almost all staging systems are b ased on the spread of the local primary tumor, metastasis to regional lymph nodes, and distant blood-borne metastatic spread, There is some variability as to how tumor spread is assessed, Such assessment may be performed before or after surgery, There are many potential problems with tumor staging systems. The systems vary in complexity and clinica l usefulness, and there is some variation in the criteria used in the different systems. It is important for radiologists to have a sound wo rking knowledge of staging systems to facilitate accurate staging. Ima ging is an important aspect of every staging system.