neuroblastoma | Childhood neuroblastoma

Childhood neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a tumor that occurs in the nerve cells. These are children under the age of five years, including infants from one of the most frequently occurring tumours.

About 2/3 of all neuroblast cells can be started in the stomach area, by onset of adrenal nerve tissue. The tumor may also develop in the neck, chest and back area. Sometimes the tumor begins to develop already before birth, and in these cases it is possible to detect it in the antenatal ultrasound scan.

In infants below the age of neuroblastoma, the prognosis is superior to that of the disease, regardless of the degree of illness. Some small-sized neuroblastoms may decline in infants themselves without any treatment. It is important that your child is diagnosed with an accurate diagnosis and he/she will receive therapy in oncology-hematology in the Department of doctors who have experience in the treatment of neuroblastomy.

Neuroblastomy Symptoms
Neuroblastoma may not cause symptoms at all or may occur with symptoms similar to normal disease. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, bruising, loss of appetite, fatigue and bone pain which may vary, depending on the location of the tumor and other metastases occurring in other parts of the body. Common symptoms include:

Bumps on the abdomen, lower back, neck or chest
Bone pain (caused by the spread of cancer to the bones)
Dark circles under the eyes or around
swollen, enlarged belly
Difficulty breathing
Swallowing
Weakness or paralysis of the legs
Uncommon signs of fever, anaemia and high blood pressure have been
Diagnosing neuroblastomy
It may be difficult to diagnose neuroblastomy. Unfortunately, there is a diagnosis for a moment in many patients with the disease far advanced. The tumor is most commonly spread to the lymph nodes, liver, bones and bone marrow.

For the diagnosis and evaluation of neuroblastomy, ultrasound, computed tomography (KT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, skeletal sinuses, MIBG ´ any specific (Metaiodobenzyl guanidine) scintigraphy, bone marrow Analysis, and urine and blood tests, which identify the exact location of the tumour and determine whether the tumor has spread. The final diagnosis is placed on surgery based on the tumour biopsy.

Neuroblastomy Treatment
Neuroblastomy therapy depends on the age of the child, the size of the tumour, its location and distribution, especially in the biology of the tumor cells. are generally used for the treatment of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiotherapy. Some children may need to use multiple treatments, including intensive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.

If the tumor continues to grow during treatment, it is called progressive neuroblast. Repeated neuroblastoma or relapse occurs when a tumor develops again after treatment either in the same or another place.