Abstract
An autopsy case of neuroblastoma in aged woman was reported.
A 70-years-old lady was admitted to Akashi national hospital with pain and edematous change on her right lower extremity. She began to feel pain on the back of right thigh since June, 1977. Her right leg became edematous since July, 1978. The pain and edema increased in severity gradually in spite of continuous physical therapy. She was referred to us on September 19, 1978.
On admission, positive physical findings were dilated veins upwardly at the theupper abdominal wall and remarkable swelling of the whole right lower extremity. No superficial venous dilatation was seen on the both lower extremities.
Laboratory data reveald elevated serum value of CEA. Abdominal X-P showed destruction of L2 and L3 vertebrae. DIP failed to visualize the right kidney and ureter. Abdominal CT scan demonstrated low density areas in the right kidney and liver.
The patient expired 2 months after admission regardless of continuous cancer chemo-therapy.
An autopsy revealed an over-hen's egg sized tumor near the right adrenal region with invasion to lumbar vertebrae and metastatic lesion in the liver, serosal side of gastrointesti-nal tract and lymphnodes around the head of pancreas. The neuroblastoma was diagnosed histologically.
More than 90% of neuroblastoma is reported to occur below the age of 10, and the cases in old age is very rare. It was discussed that significant elevation of CEA activity observed in this case, suggested release CEA by the neuroblastoma.
