Neuroblastoma

Page 1 2 3

What is Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of childhood that grows in the nervous system.

Who gets Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common childhood solid tumours and the most common tumour diagnosed in infants less than 1 year of age. About 80% of all neuroblastomas occur in children younger than 5 years. It accounts for at least 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. 500 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.

Predisposing Factors

Most cases of neuroblastoma are without risk factors or known cause. In a minority of cases, neuroblastoma is passed on through families.

Progression

The most important prognostic factors are the histological staging of the tumour and the age of the patient at diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Stage I and II tumours tend to occur in children younger than 1 year of age. Treatment in these instances has a 90% cure rate. Prognosis for stage III and IV tumours is less favourable, with cure rates of 20-30%. Metastases when they develop, do so early and widely. This is due to spread via the bloodstream in addition to the lymphatic and direct spread. There are different clinicobiologic subsets ranging from those that rarely kill to those that despite all therapeutic efforts, rapidly cause death.

Page 1 2 3