Neuroblastoma in a fetus: what to know

A prenatal scan may show a mass near the adrenal area or another part of the developing sympathetic nervous system. An image cannot always identify the exact tissue type, so clinicians may use repeat ultrasound, detailed fetal imaging, and assessment of blood flow, growth and the surrounding organs.

Some suspected tumours change during pregnancy, while others remain stable. The finding is not caused by anything a parent did, and it does not automatically predict the baby’s condition after birth. A maternal-fetal medicine team and paediatric specialists can explain what is known and what remains uncertain.

Keep the recommended imaging and obstetric appointments so the team can compare findings over time. Ask where delivery should occur and how the newborn will be assessed. After birth, evaluation may include examination, imaging, blood or urine tests, and occasionally a tissue sample. Treatment, if needed, may involve observation, [Tumour Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/tumour-removal-surgery/), [Chemotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/chemotherapy/), or [Targeted Radioisotope Therapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/targeted-radioisotope-therapy/).

Follow the pregnancy team’s instructions for urgent symptoms such as bleeding, fluid loss, painful contractions, reduced fetal movement, severe abdominal pain or severe headache. After delivery, urgent review is needed for breathing difficulty, poor feeding, marked sleepiness, or a swollen abdomen.

Ask where the mass is, how its size and blood flow are being followed, and which findings would change the plan. Ask about delivery timing and location, newborn tests, feeding support, and whom to call if worries arise between visits.