Neuroblastoma
Symptoms of Neuroblastoma
Depending on whatever area of the body, Neuroblastoma can present with different signs and symptoms.
In abdomen:
- Continent pain
- A lump beneath the skin that is hard and not touchable
- Changes in bowel habits leading to constipation or diarrhoea
In the chest:
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Changes to the eyes, including drooping eyelids and unequal pupil size
Other signs indicating Neuroblastoma include:
- Lumps of tissue under the skin
- Bone pain
- Bruises
- Back pain
- Fever
- Unintentional weight loss
Causes
A genetic mutation is typically the first step in cancer development because it permits healthy, normal cells to keep growing despite being signalled to halt by the body. Unchecked growth and multiplication occur in cancer cells. These accumulating abnormal cells form a tumour. Neuroblasts, which a foetus produces as part of its development process, are where Neuroblastoma first appears.
During fetal development, neuroblasts transform into nerve cells, nerve fibres, and the constituent cells of the adrenal glands. The majority of neuroblasts reach maturity by the time of birth, while a few immature neuroblasts may still be present in newborns. Typically, these immature neuroblasts either mature naturally or undergo programmed cell death. However, in certain instances, these neuroblasts give rise to a tumour known as Neuroblastoma.
Treatments for Neuroblastoma
Depending on several factors, your child’s team of providers may recommend treatments, including:
Chemotherapy: Chemo prevents the growth of cancer cells. Through a vein, medical professionals administer chemotherapy medications. Treatments often last for a few weeks or months. Your kid’s risk category of Neuroblastoma determines the type of chemotherapy regimen and length of treatment.
Surgery: Through an incision, the surgeons remove the tumour; however, it might not always be feasible to do so completely. Some kids undergo chemotherapy before or after surgery to reduce a tumour or eliminate leftover cancer cells.
Radiotherapy: This therapy either eliminates cancer cells or prevents their growth. Radiation is a tool that radiation oncologists frequently employ to stop cancer from returning after treatment. Patients with high-risk Neuroblastoma get radiation the most often. Patients with low and intermediate risks typically don’t need radiation treatment.
Immunotherapy: After chemotherapy and radiation, cancer cells might occasionally reappear. Immunotherapy is a treatment option that teaches the body to target aberrant cells. Your child’s doctor uses a vein to inject antibodies, which are infection-fighting cells.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD
Page last reviewed: 20 May 2023