Neuroblastoma Differential Diagnoses

Updated: May 24, 2021
  • Author: Byron D Joyner, MD, MPA; Chief Editor: Brian H Kopell, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

A wide variety of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions might be confused with neuroblastoma. Wilms tumor and lymphoma are 2 malignant lesions that might be mistaken for neuroblastoma. The nonneoplastic lesions are particularly confusing, especially in the 5-11% of neuroblastomas that do not produce catecholamine metabolic by-products. Nonmalignant lesions that might be confused with neuroblastoma include ganglioneuroma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma.