%0 Journal Article %A CHRISTA N. GRANT %A CARSON A. WILLS %A XIAOMING LIU %A VLADIMIR S. SPIEGELMAN %A HONG-GANG WANG %T Thoracic Neuroblastoma: A Novel Surgical Model for the Study of Extra-adrenal Neuroblastoma %D 2022 %R 10.21873/invivo.12675 %J In Vivo %P 49-56 %V 36 %N 1 %X Background/Aim: Neuroblastoma is clinically and molecularly heterogeneous, with poor outcomes despite multimodal treatment strategies. The primary tumor site is an independent predictor of survival; adrenal tumors have the worst outcomes, while posterior mediastinum tumors carry a more favorable prognosis. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the role of the primary tumor microenvironment in mediating survival outcomes, we developed a mouse model for the study of extra-adrenal neuroblastoma by injecting luciferase-tagged cells into either the subpleural space of the posterior chest or the adrenal gland. Results: Solid tumors developed in the thoracic cavity at the same rate and efficiency as the adrenal as early as one week post-surgery. The survival rate following surgery was equivalent, though the physiological tolerance for large tumors was lower in the thoracic group. Conclusion: This novel mouse model of survivable extra-adrenal neuroblastoma will enable future investigations of the distinct tumor microenvironments between the adrenal gland and posterior mediastinum. %U https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/invivo/36/1/49.full.pdf