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Infants diagnosed with neuroblastoma
What does it mean?
Neuroblastoma is a preadolescence cancer that forms in adolescent nerve cells called neuroblasts. Neuroblasts also known as primitive nerve cells, are postmitotic cells that don't divide further and will develop into a neuron following a migration phase.
Neuroblasts are differentiated from neural stem cells and are intended to become neurons. Neuroblasts are mostly present as precursors of neurons during embryonic growth; between 12 and 20 weeks.
Medical Terms
Neuro, relating to nerves.
Blastoma is a tumor of developing cells.
- Neuroblastoma tumors can appear anywhere in the body, 65% of the tumors ensue in the abdomen.
- Neuroblastoma tumors are unique. once developed some of the tumors may go away without medical treatment, and others may to other places in the body by metastasis.
- Diagnosis is usually between the ages of one and two years old.
The symptoms of Neuroblastoma depend on where the tumor is located. if the tumor is located on the spine this will affect the child's ability to crawl, walk, immobility weakness, or paralysis.
The Chest
- The Chest-The infant will have trouble breathing, Wheezing
- Chest discomfort
- Drooping eyelids and different sizes of the pupil
The Abdomen
The child will experience trouble urinating, abdominal discomfort, belly ache, enlarged belly, Changes in bowel movements such as constipation or diarrhea, and high blood pressure.
Additional signs and symptoms that may reveal neuroblastoma include:
- Mass of tissue under the dermis
- Protruding Eyeballs (proptosis)
- Dark circles, around the eyes that resemble bruises,
- Backache
- Fever
- loss of weight
- Bone Algia
Contact your child's healthcare provider, if you notice the child has any signs or symptoms, as well as changes in demeanor, or habits that concern you.
Written by Anita Johnson-Brown
Photo: AACO
