Pathological diagnosis of solid pediatric tumors 

Background

To diagnose a solid pediatric tumor, a tissue sample is taken from the tumor. This sample is obtained through (core needle) biopsy or primary resection. The sample is examined by a pathologist using histopathological features and immunohistochemistry. Over the last decades, molecular diagnostics were incorporated in modern pathology, to identify molecular aberrations associated with diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Aims

• Evaluate the diagnostic value and accuracy of current pathological techniques in the diagnosis of solid pediatric tumors (Core Needle Biopsy, Molecular Diagnostics, Bone Marrow Evaluation of Neuroblastomas).

• Investigate the prognostic value of molecular aberrations in (non-high-risk) neuroblastoma to improve current risk-stratification and thereby improving outcome of neuroblastoma patients.

Project Outcomes

• Bruinsma RS, Fiocco MF, de Leng WWJ, Kester LA, Langenberg KPS, Tytgat GAM, van Noesel MM, Wijnen MHWA, van der Steeg AFW & de Krijger RR (2024). mRNA Expression Level of ALK in Neuroblastoma Is Associated with Histological Subtype, ALK Mutations and ALK Immunohistochemical Protein Expression. Journal of Molecular Pathology, 5(3):304-318. doi:10.3390/jmp5030022. 

• Bruinsma RS, Nievelstein RAJ, Littooij AS, Vermeulen MA, van de Ven CP, van Noesel MM, Wijnen MHWA, van der Steeg AFW & de Krijger RR  (2021.) Diagnostic accuracy of image‐guided core needle biopsy of non‐central nervous system tumors in children. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 68(10):e29179. doi:10.1002/pbc.29179. 

Team

• R. Bruinsma, PhD candidate at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

• Prof. dr. R.R. de Krijger, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

• Prof.dr. M. Fiocco, Mathematical Institute Leiden University, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences Leiden University Medical Center & Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology 

• Dr. A.F.W. van der Steeg, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

• Dr. L.A. Kester, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology