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Neuroblastoma
What is neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in nerve
tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal cord.
Neuroblastoma often begins in the nerve tissue of the adrenal glands. There
are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney in the back of the upper
abdomen. The adrenal glands produce 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 chest, in nerve tissue near the spine in the
neck, or in the spinal cord.
Neuroblastoma most often begins during early childhood, usually in children
younger than 5 years. It sometimes forms before birth but is usually found
later, when the tumor begins to grow and cause symptoms. In rare cases,
neuroblastoma may be found before birth by fetal ultrasound.
By the time neuroblastoma is diagnosed, the cancer has usually metastasized
(spread), most often to the lymph nodes, bones, bone marrow, liver, and skin.
Possible signs of neuroblastoma include bone pain and a lump in the abdomen,
neck, or chest.
The most common symptoms of neuroblastoma are caused by the tumor pressing on
nearby tissues as it grows or by cancer spreading to the bone. These and other
symptoms may be caused by neuroblastoma. Other conditions may cause the same
symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
- Lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest.
- Bulging eyes.
- Dark circles around the
eyes ("black eyes").
- Bone pain.
- Swollen stomach and trouble breathing in
infants.
- Painless, bluish lumps under the skin in infants.
- Weakness or paralysis
(loss of ability to move a body part).
Less common signs of neuroblastoma
include the following:
- Fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling tired.
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding).
- High blood pressure.
- Severe watery diarrhea.
- Jerky muscle movements.
- Uncontrolled eye movement.
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, or scrotum.