Neuroblastoma
The Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health define Neuroblastoma as a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the immature nerve cells that effects mostly infants and children. Neuroblastoma often begins in the nerve tissue of the adrenal glands. These are the triangular glands on top of the kidneys located in the back of the upper abdomen. The adrenal glands make important hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and the way the body reacts to stress. Neuroblastoma may also begin in the abdomen, in the chest, in the nerve tissue near the spine in the neck or in the spinal cord.
Unfortunately, like other cancers, Neuroblastoma can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, skin, liver, bones and bone marrow. According to KidsHealth.org, Neuroblastoma occurs almost exclusively in infants and children and is slightly more common in boys than in girls. Although Neuroblastoma sometimes forms before a child is born, it usually isn't found until later, when the tumor begins to grow and affect the body. Symptoms of Neuroblastoma often include bone pain, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue. Diagnosis may be prolonged as these symptoms often appear with other, more common childhood illnesses. Children diagnosed with Neuroblastoma are usually younger than five years old, with the majority of new cases occurring among those younger than one year old. According to the NIC, the younger the age of the child at diagnosis, the higher the chance of survival. This can also be said for the accompanying stage (Stages 1-4) of the disease. Only about 700 new cases of Neuroblastoma are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Unfortunately, like other cancers, Neuroblastoma can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, skin, liver, bones and bone marrow. According to KidsHealth.org, Neuroblastoma occurs almost exclusively in infants and children and is slightly more common in boys than in girls. Although Neuroblastoma sometimes forms before a child is born, it usually isn't found until later, when the tumor begins to grow and affect the body. Symptoms of Neuroblastoma often include bone pain, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue. Diagnosis may be prolonged as these symptoms often appear with other, more common childhood illnesses. Children diagnosed with Neuroblastoma are usually younger than five years old, with the majority of new cases occurring among those younger than one year old. According to the NIC, the younger the age of the child at diagnosis, the higher the chance of survival. This can also be said for the accompanying stage (Stages 1-4) of the disease. Only about 700 new cases of Neuroblastoma are diagnosed each year in the United States.
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