Which adrenal medulla tumor is more frequently seen in children and is considered malignant?

Neuroblastoma is indeed the adrenal medulla tumor that is more frequently observed in children and is considered malignant. This tumor typically arises from neural crest cells and can occur in various locations, including the adrenal glands. Neuroblastomas are most commonly diagnosed in infants and very young children, often before the age of 5.

The malignancy of neuroblastoma is significant, as it can metastasize to distant organs, including lymph nodes, liver, bones, and skin, which influences the clinical management and prognosis of affected children. Furthermore, neuroblastoma can sometimes present with unique paraneoplastic syndromes and specific tumor markers, such as elevated levels of catecholamines.

In contrast, pheochromocytoma is a tumor of adrenal chromaffin cells that can produce catecholamines but is much more rare in children compared to neuroblastoma and does not typically exhibit the same aggressive and malignant behavior. Cortical adenomas are benign tumors of the adrenal cortex and are not associated with the adrenal medulla, while adrenal carcinoma, though malignant, is relatively rare in children and not specifically linked to the adrenal medulla like neuroblastoma.

Therefore, neuroblastoma stands out as the most relevant answer, given its higher prevalence and