Both neuroblastoma and Wilms tumour occur in early childhood and typically present as large abdominal masses closely related to the kidneys. The natural histories and typical clinical courses of these tumours are very different, thus the early distinction is important. This article points out the diagnostic difference between these two types of tumour, especially from their radiological finding. Neuroblastoma (NBL) is the most common extra-cranial tumour found in children and presents as an abdominal mass.
On the other hand, nephroblastoma, commonly known as a Wilms’ tumour, is the commonest renal tumour in childhood and also typically presents as abdominal pathology. Both occur in early childhood, with Wilms’ being predominant in a slightly elder age group of 3 – 4 years. Histologically, they are different diseases with NBLs arising from primordial neural crest cells and Wilms’ being…
