<h3>What is neuroblastoma?</h3> <p>Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that forms in nerve cells called neuroblasts. Neuroblasts are immature nerve tissue. They normally turn into working nerve cells. But in neuroblastoma, they form a tumor.</p> <p>Neuroblastoma usually begins in the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglanddisorders.html">adrenal glands</a>. You have two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands make important hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/bloodglucose.html">blood glucose</a> (blood sugar), and the way the body reacts to stress. Neuroblastoma may also begin in the neck, chest or spinal cord.</p> <h3>What causes neuroblastoma?</h3> <p>Neuroblastoma is caused by <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation/">changes in your genes</a>. Gene changes also called gene variants or mutations. In most cases, the cause of the mutation is unknown. In some other cases, the mutation is passed from the parent to the child.</p> <h3>What are the symptoms of neuroblastoma?</h3> <p>Neuroblastoma often begins in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerinchildren.html">early childhood</a>. Sometimes it begins before a child is born.The most common symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on nearby tissues as it grows or by cancer spreading to the bone.They include:</p><ul> <li>A lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest</li> <li>Bulging eyes</li> <li>Dark circles around the eyes</li> <li>Bone pain</li> <li>Swollen stomach and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/breathingproblems.html">trouble breathing</a> in babies</li> <li>Painless, bluish lumps under the skin in babies</li> <li>Weakness or <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/paralysis.html">paralysis</a> (loss of ability to move a body part)</li> </ul> <h3>How is neuroblastoma diagnosed?</h3> <p>To diagnose neuroblastoma, your child's health care provider will do various tests and procedures, which may include:</p><ul> <li>A medical history.</li> <li>A <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/neurological-exam">neurological exam</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diagnosticimaging.html">Imaging test</a>s, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/xrays.html">x-rays</a>, a <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ctscans.html">CT scan</a>, an <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sonogram/">ultrasound</a>, an <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/mriscans.html">MRI</a>, or an MIBG scan. In an MIBG scan, a small amount of a radioactive substance is injected into a vein. It travels through the bloodstream and attaches itself to any neuroblastoma cells. A scanner detects the cells.</li> <li>Blood and urine tests.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/biopsy.html">Biopsy</a>, in which a sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.</li> <li>Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, in which bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone are removed for testing.</li> </ul> <h3>What are the treatments for neuroblastoma?</h3> <p>The treatments for neuroblastoma include:</p><ul> <li>Observation, also called watchful waiting, is where the health care provider does not give any treatments until your child's signs or symptoms appear or change.</li> <li>Surgery</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/radiationtherapy.html">Radiation therapy</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerchemotherapy.html">Chemotherapy</a>.</li> <li>High-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy with stem cell rescue. Your child will get high doses of chemotherapy and radiation. This kills the cancer cells, but it also kills healthy cells. So your child will get a <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/stemcells.html">stem cell transplant</a>, usually of his or her own cells collected earlier. This helps to replace the healthy cells that were lost.</li> <li>Iodine 131-MIBG therapy, a treatment with radioactive iodine. The radioactive iodine collects in neuroblastoma cells and kills them with the radiation that is given off.</li> <li>Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.</li> </ul> <p class="">NIH: National Cancer Institute</p>

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that most often affects children. Neuroblastoma occurs when immature nerve cells called neuroblasts become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably to form a tumor. Most commonly, the tumor originates in the nerve tissue of the adrenal gland located above each kidney. Other common sites for tumors to form include the nerve tissue in the abdomen, chest, neck, or pelvis. Neuroblastoma can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body such as the bones, liver, or skin.~Individuals with neuroblastoma may develop general signs and symptoms such as irritability, fever, tiredness (fatigue), pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, or diarrhea. More specific signs and symptoms depend on the location of the tumor and where it has spread. A tumor in the abdomen can cause abdominal swelling. A tumor in the chest may lead to difficulty breathing. A tumor in the neck can cause nerve damage known as Horner syndrome, which leads to drooping eyelids, small pupils, decreased sweating, and red skin. Tumor metastasis to the bone can cause bone pain, bruises, pale skin, or dark circles around the eyes. Tumors in the backbone can press on the spinal cord and cause weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the arms or legs. A rash of bluish or purplish bumps that look like blueberries indicates that the neuroblastoma has spread to the skin.~In addition, neuroblastoma tumors can release hormones that may cause other signs and symptoms such as high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, flushing of the skin, and sweating. In rare instances, individuals with neuroblastoma may develop opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome, which causes rapid eye movements and jerky muscle motions. This condition occurs when the immune system malfunctions and attacks nerve tissue.~Neuroblastoma occurs most often in children before age 5 and rarely occurs in adults.