Neuroblastoma Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a cancer which is known to develop from immature nerve cells found in different areas of the body.

It generally originates in either of the adrenal glands, but it can also develop in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis.

Stages Of Neuroblastoma:

Neuroblastoma can be divided into the following stages:

Stage I

Localized
Lymph node connected to the tumor may have cancer

Stage IIA

Localized
Not easily removable

Stage IIB

Localized
Not easily removable
Lymph nodes, those connected as well as those nearby, contain cancer cells

Stage III

Advanced neuroblastoma
Impossible to remove via surgery
Lymph nodes may or may not contain cancer cells

Stage IV

Advanced neuroblastoma
Metastasized to other parts of the body

Stage IVS

Behaves differently to other forms of neuroblastoma
Applies only to children under the age of one
Spreads to another part of the body (skin, liver etc)
Does not require treatment generally

Causes Of Neuroblastoma:

Neuroblastoma, like other cancers, is caused by genetic mutation. The cause of the genetic mutation is unknown.

Neuroblastoma begins in immature nerve cells (Neuroblasts) that a fetus makes as part of its development process.

Upon reaching maturation, the neuroblasts turn into nerve cells. Upon birth these neuroblasts disappear. However, if they don’t they form a tumor-a neuroblastoma.

Symptoms Of Neuroblastoma:

Neuroblastoma usually begins with the occurrence of the following symptoms:

Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Fever
Joint pain
Dark circles
Proptosis

Later on, the symptoms exhibited depend on primary tumor locations and metastases if present:

In the abdomen, a tumor may cause

swollen belly

A tumor in the chest may cause

Breathing problems.
Chest pains
Drooping eyelids
Unequal pupil size

A tumor pressing on the spinal cord may cause weakness and thus an inability to stand, crawl, or walk.
Bone lesions in the legs and hips may cause pain and limping.
A tumor in the bones around the eyes or orbits may cause distinct bruising and swelling.
Infiltration of the bone marrow may cause pallor from anemia.