Neuroblastoma (patient information)
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What is neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer occurs in infants and young children. It is a cancer origins from nerve tissue. It may be found in the adrenal glands, in the neck, chest or spinal cord. The cancer often begins in early childhood. Sometimes it begins before a child is born. By the time doctors find the tumor, it has usually spread to other organs. Usual symptoms are a lump in the abdomen, neck or chest, bulging eyes, dark circles around the eyes, bone pain, swollen stomach and trouble breathing in babies, painless, bluish lumps under the skin in babies and inability to move a body part. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination.
How do I know if I have neuroblastoma and what are the symptoms of neuroblastoma?
The signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma can vary widely depending on where the disease first started and how much it has spread to other parts of the body. Usual symptoms include:
- Irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever in infant.
- A swollen stomach, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite in young child.
- Bone pain or soreness, black eyes, bruises, and pale skin
- Weakness, numbness, inability to move a body part, or difficulty walking
- Horner's syndrome: Drooping eyelid, unequal pupils, sweating, and red skin
- Difficulty breathing
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for neuroblastoma?
How to know you have neuroblastoma?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for neuroblastoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating neuroblastoma
Prevention of neuroblastoma
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_neuroblastoma_31.asp
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neuroblastoma.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/neuroblastoma.html