DISSEMINATED CONGENITAL NEUROBLASTOMA INVOLVING THE PLACENTA

Neuroblastoma, a tumor of primitive neuroectodermal cells, is one of t he most common solid malignancies of neonates. Placental metastases ha ve been described in rare cases of congenital neuroblastoma, usually i n association with hydrops fetalis, placentomegaly, and widespread dis ease in the neonate. We report a case in which the unexpected diagnosi s of neuroblastoma was made based on the postnatal finding of tumor em boli confined to fetal vessels of the placenta. Radiation and chemothe rapy were given based on this diagnosis, obviating the need for an inv asive diagnostic procedure.