Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in a young bodybuilder

Background: Anabolic steroid intake is common among bodybuilders, although it is associated with a number of adverse effects, including tumorgenesis. Case Report: We describe the case of 24-year-old male athletic bodybuilder (weight 110 kg, height 179, BMI 34 kg/m2) admitted to our department with diffused, intermittent, abdominal pain of 4 months duration. The patient had a history of long-term abuse of large doses of anabolic steroids of unknown origin. Computed tomography scans revealed a large, 140 x 100 mm, well-demarcated tumor, located between the left kidney, pancreas and spleen, presumably originating from the left kidney or adrenal gland. The tumor was proven to be hormonally inactive. Retroperitoneal tumor excision was performed with surrounding organs left intact. A final histopathologic examination revealed a well-differentiated 16 cm ganglioneuroma. Despite the rarity of its occurrence, ganglioneuromas must be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors. Conclusions: This unique finding raises questions concerning potential development of ganglioneuroma secondary to steroid abuse among bodybuilders. Bodybuilders should be made aware of the serious medical risks of steroid abuse. (authors)