Prenatal Diagnosis of a Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI): A Case Report With a Favorable Outcome After Chemotherapy Failure and Incomplete Resection

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2018 May;40(4):320-324. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000982.

Abstract

We present the case of a woman referred to our department at 34 weeks of pregnancy with a fetal ultrasonographic scan showing a mass that had developed within the right maxilla with invasion of the orbit. A retrospective examination showed that this tumor had been present since the 12th week of pregnancy. At 39+4 weeks of gestation, a boy was born. He presented a black firm aspect in the maxilla. A computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a soft tissue swelling over the right maxilla, extending into the orbit but without invasion of the globe. Surgical biopsy confirmed a melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy. The pathologic examination did not show any neuroblast-like component on the hematoxylin eosin saffron staining. Because of the extension and the size of the lesion, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was carried out. At day 21, the patient received 1 cycle of low-dose cyclophosphamide and vincristine, 2 cycles of etoposide and carboplatin, and thereafter 1 cycle of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and vincristin because the lesion kept growing. After stabilization of the size of the tumor, at 4 months, a maxillectomy and partial resection of the orbital floor and lateral orbital wall was performed on the patient. As a complete resection would have required orbital exenteration, surgery was performed deliberately incomplete leaving a macroscopic residue (R2). At 2.5 years of follow-up, the patient showed complete remission with no lesions evident on magnetic resonance imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetal Diseases / pathology
  • Fetal Diseases / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / pathology
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / therapy*
  • Male
  • Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / diagnostic imaging
  • Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / pathology
  • Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / therapy*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Neoplasms / pathology
  • Orbital Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Carboplatin