The epidemiology of neonatal tumours

摘要: Neonatal tumours occur every 12,500–27,500 live births and comprise 2% of childhood malignancies, but there is little clarity as to their real prevalence, sites origin pathological nature reported series vary. As an entity, neonatal provide a unique window opportunity study in which minimal environmental interference has occurred. The majority present with mass at birth (e.g., teratomas, neuroblastomas, mesoblastic nephroma, fibromatosis), are not infrequently identified on antenatal ultrasound. Histologically, teratoma neuroblastoma remain the two main tumour types encountered soft tissue sarcoma, renal tumours, CNS leukaemia being next most common identified. Malignant uncommon period per se benign may have malignant potential. A particular problem exists clinical classification, histological features malignancy do always correlate behaviour. Benign also be life threatening because size location. Other demonstrate local invasiveness, no metastatic potential, that clearly unpredictable or uncertain Screening programmes brought more light, appear affect overall prognosis. They clues stage develop foetu. aetiology cancer children multifactorial includes both genetic factors. association between congenital abnormalities well established (15% tumours). Genetic defects highly likely include those high risk retinoblastoma), genetically determined syndromes increased complex rearrangements. Tumours mostly related cellular level factors influencing maturation apoptosis within developing foetus continue operate period. Cytogenetics neoplasms differ from older children, thus possibly explaining some observed differences Certain constitutional chromosome anomalies, however, specifically favour tumuors occurring foetal In support this hypothesis, certain cytogenetic anomalies specific neonates, number examples explored. associations ionizing radiation, drugs taken during pregnancy, infections, mother exposure.