What is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood?

Neuroblastoma is indeed the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. This tumor typically arises from neural crest cells, which are involved in the development of the sympathetic nervous system. Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in children under the age of 5 and can originate in various locations, although the adrenal glands are the most frequent site. The presentation can vary significantly, with symptoms dependent on the tumor's location, size, and whether it has metastasized.

In contrast, while retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer in children, it is not classified as an extracranial solid tumor since it primarily affects the eye. Wilms tumor, another significant pediatric malignancy, is the most common renal tumor in children but is specifically a kidney tumor and not classified as extracranial. Hepatoblastoma is a liver tumor also found in children but occurs less frequently than neuroblastoma. Understanding the distinctions among these conditions is essential for recognizing neuroblastoma's prevalence as the leading extraterrestrial solid tumor in the pediatric population.