Abdominal and pelvic tumours in children: a review of diagnosis, management, and prognosis

Abstract

Abdominal tumours in children, though relatively uncommon, present significant challenges in terms of early detection, accurate diagnosis, and treatment. These tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that can arise from various organs, including the kidneys, liver, gonads and soft tissues, encompassing a range of benign and malignant conditions. The clinical presentation often overlaps with other more common paediatric conditions, making diagnosis difficult without a high index of suspicion. Unlike adult abdominal cancers, which are predominantly malignant, many paediatric abdominal tumours are benign or low-grade malignancies. However, the malignant tumours, if untreated or diagnosed late, can significantly impact survival. Early intervention and multimodal treatment strategies are crucial for improving survival rates and minimizing long-term complications. This review explores the most common types as neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, rhabdomyosarcoma, lymphoma and ovarian cysts/germ cell tumours. An overview will be given of clinical features, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and prognostic factors associated with abdominal tumours in children.