Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of immature nerve cells that most often occurs in young children. It usually begins in the adrenal glands but can form in the neck, chest, abdomen, and spine. Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 7% of all childhood malignancies. At diagnosis, 50% of patients are under 2 years of age, 75% under age 4, and 90% under age 10. 

According to International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification System (INPC), neuroblastic tumors are classified into neuroblastoma, intermixed ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, and ganglioneuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma usually presents with an asymptomatic abdominal mass. Some cases present abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, dyspnea, bone pain, weakness of lower extremities, bluish lumps under the skin, bulging eyes, or dark circles around the eyes. 

Certain genetic conditions affect the risk of having neuroblastoma. (For example, neurofibromatosis, Noonan syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, pheochromocytoma, etc.)

There is no known method to prevent neuroblastoma in children. However, the patient needs to get regular screening for cancer if they have cancer predisposition syndrome.