Neuroblastoma in children is caused by immature neuroblasts that do not mature into normal adrenal nerves or cells at birth, forming a tumor. It is usually present at birth and caused by a genetic abnormality in the first chromosome. Treatment varies depending on the size, location, and growth rate of tumors.
Neuroblastoma in children is caused by neuroblasts that do not mature. They do not become the normal adrenal nerves or cells they are supposed to mature into at birth. These immature neuroblasts form a tumor.
While developing in the womb, a fetus produces immature nerve cells. At birth, these neuroblasts should develop into nerves and adrenal cells that produce nerve fibers and adrenal glands. In most newborns, a small number of immature neuroblasts do not mature and usually disappear. For some children, these neuroblasts remain and form a cancerous tumor.
Neuroblastoma in children is usually present at birth. However, it often goes undetected until a tumor appears and causes symptoms. Most affected children are diagnosed by age 5. In rare cases, a malignant tumor is detected before birth on an ultrasound, but it is not common to find tumors before the age of 1 year.
Doctors believe that neuroblastoma in children is caused by a genetic abnormality in the first chromosome. The short end of this chromosome has a missing or rearranged section. This causes the oncogene known as MYCN to further amplify. An oncogene is a gene that causes cancer by making a cell malignant. An amplification of MYCN leads to a deregulated and rapid growth of cancer cells.
Some children have inherited genes, from one or both parents, which makes them more prone to acquiring cancer. For neuroblastoma in children, conditions such as fetal hydantoin syndrome and neurofibromatosis often lead to neuroblastoma. The initial genetic abnormality exists at conception, then the second genetic abnormality becomes active at birth.
Tumors that grow with neuroblastoma in children usually begin in nerve tissue in the pelvis, chest, and/or neck. Tumors can also start growing in the adrenal gland tissue. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce the hormones the body needs.
Neuroblastoma spreads quickly. It can quickly spread to other parts of the body. Most cases of neuroblastoma in children also result in another metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancers of the lungs, bones, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and liver are common.
Treatment for neuroblastoma in children varies depending on the size, location, and growth rate of the tumors. Most often, surgery is recommended to remove as much of the tumor or tumors as possible. From then on, radiation and chemotherapy will help kill the remaining cancer cells. In some cases, the cancerous cells cannot be completely killed, but they can be forced into dormancy with aggressive treatment.
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