What is Neuroblastoma?What is Neuroblastoma?

What is Neuroblastoma?

What is neuroblastoma–causes and symptoms

When starting to research neuroblastoma, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. It's normal to want to learn everything you can to help your child. Here are some questions and answers to help get you started:

  • What is neuroblastoma?
  • Who gets neuroblastoma?
  • What are the signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma?
Illustration of neuroblastsIllustration of neuroblasts

What is neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer that starts in immature nerve cells (neuroblasts). The term “neuro” refers to nerves, and “blastoma” refers to a tumor of immature or developing cells.

  • Neuroblastoma tumors can occur anywhere in the body, but about 65% of them occur in the abdomen
  • Neuroblastoma tumors are unique. Some may go away on their own without treatment, while others may spread (metastasize) throughout the body

Who gets neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants under the age of 1.

Neuroblastoma makes up about 6% of all childhood cancer cases

Neuroblastoma accounts for about 6% of all childhood cancer cases

The US reports about 800 new neuroblastoma cases each year

Every year there are about 800 new cases of neuroblastoma in the US

Most cases of neuroblastoma are diagnosed before age 5

Most neuroblastoma cases are diagnosed before the age of 5

Neuroblastoma diagnoses typically occur at 1 to 2 years old

The average age of a child at diagnosis is 1 to 2 years old

Neuroblastoma makes up about 6% of all childhood cancer cases

Neuroblastoma accounts for about 6% of all childhood cancer cases

The US reports about 800 new neuroblastoma cases each year

Every year there are about 800 new cases of neuroblastoma in the US

What are the signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is typically discovered when the growing tumor starts to cause symptoms. The signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma can vary based on:

  • Where the tumor is
  • How large the tumor is
  • Whether or not the neuroblastoma has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body

If a child has a tumor that:

is on the spine, they may stop crawling or walking or have weakness or paralysis

is in the chest, they may have trouble breathing

is in the abdomen, they may have pain, an enlarged belly, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty urinating, or high blood pressure

has spread (metastasized) to the bone, or to other areas of the body, they may have black eyes, bone pain, bruises, fever, or paleness, and may limp or stop crawling/walking