Neuroblastoma pathophysiology
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Neuroblastoma Microchapters |
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Neuroblastoma pathophysiology On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Neuroblastoma pathophysiology |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2], Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jack Khouri
Overview
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system -- a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Its solid tumors, which take the form of a lump or mass, commonly begin in one of the adrenal glands, though they can also develop in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, though most physicians believe that it is an accidental cell growth that occurs during normal development of the adrenal glands.
Neuroblastoma is one of the rare human malignancies known to demonstrate spontaneous regression from an undifferentiated state to a completely benign cellular appearance.
- VIDEO - Neuroblastoma, Jeannie Yang, MD, gives an overview at the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (2007)
Etiology
The etiology of neuroblastoma is not well understood. Several risk factors have been proposed and are the subject of ongoing research. Due to characteristic early onset many studies have focussed on parental factors around conception and during gestation. Factors investigated have included occupation (i.e. exposure to chemicals in specific industries), smoking, alcohol consumption, use of medicinal drugs during pregnancy and birth factors, however results have been inconsistent.[1]
Other studies have examined possible links with atopy and exposure to infection early in life,[2] use of hormones and fertility drugs,[3]and maternal use of hair dye.[4]
References
- ↑ Olshan, AF, Bunin, GR (2000) Epidemiology of Neuroblastoma. In: Brodeur, GM, Sawada, T, Tsuchida, Y, Voute, PA eds. , Neuroblastoma, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 33-39. ISBN 044450222X [1]
- ↑ Menegaux F,et al."Day Care, Childhood Infections and Risk of Neuroblastoma", Am J Epidemiol 2004; 159:843-851.
- ↑ Olshan AF,et al. "Hormone and Fertility Drug Use and the Risk of Neuroblastoma: A Report from the Children's Cancer Group and the Pediatric Oncology Group", Am J Epidemiol 1999;150:930-8.
- ↑ ,McCall EE,et al."Maternal hair dye use and risk of neuroblastoma in offspring", Cancer Causes and Control 2005; 16,6:743-8