Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that affects the cells of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for preparing the body to respond to emergency situations and stress; this type of tumor develops in children up to age 5, but diagnosis is more common between 1 and 2 years of age and can begin in the nerves of the chest, brain, abdomen or adrenal glands located in each kidney.
Children younger than one year old with small tumors are more likely to recover, especially when placed for early treatment. When diagnosed early and does not metastasize, neuroblastoma can be surgically removed without radiation therapy or anti-negoase medication.Early diagnosis of neuroblastoma has a positive impact on a child’s survival and quality of life.
- Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma vary depending on the location and size of the tumor.
- As well as whether it has spread or not and whether the tumor produces hormones.
- In general.
- Signs and symptoms indicative of neuroblastoma are:.
As the tumor grows and spreads, more site-specific symptoms may appear.Because symptoms are not specific, they can vary from child to child, may be similar to other diseases, and the incidence of the disease is low, neuroblastoma is often however, it is very important that the diagnosis is made as soon as possible to prevent the spread of the tumor and the aggravation of the disease.
The diagnosis of neuroblastoma is made through laboratory and imaging tests that must be recommended by the doctor, since a diagnosis based solely on symptoms is not possible, among the tests requested is the dosage of catecholamines in the urine, which are hormones normally produced by the sympathetic nervous system. cells of the system, and that in the bloodstream give rise to metabolites whose quantity is verified in the urine.
In addition, comprehensive blood count and imaging tests, such as chest and abdomen x-rays, ultrasound, tomography, MRI and bone scan are indicated; to complete the diagnosis, a biopsy may also be requested to confirm that it is a disease.malignant disorder Understand what it is and how the biopsy is done.
Neuroblastoma treatment is based on age, overall health, tumor location, size, and stage of the disease.In the early stages, treatment is performed only by surgery to remove the tumor, without any additional treatment.
However, in cases where metastasis has been detected, chemotherapy may be needed to reduce the rate of malignancy multiplication and therefore tumor size, followed by surgery and complementary treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, in some more severe cases, especially when the child is very young, a bone marrow transplant may be recommended after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.