How does neuroblastoma heal itself?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Neuroblastoma cannot completely heal by itself. Once neuroblastoma is detected, patients should be promptly taken to local hospitals for treatment, be hospitalized, and undergo skull CT or MRI scans. If necessary, enhanced MRI scans can be conducted to clarify the current location of the tumor and its relationship with surrounding tissues, and to determine the surgical plan. The tumor should be completely removed through surgery. After the surgery, a small amount of tumor tissue should be kept for pathological slides to assess the need for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or other related treatments based on the results of the pathological examination. For some elderly and frail patients who cannot tolerate surgery, Gamma Knife treatment can also be considered.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How is neuroblastoma diagnosed?

For patients with neuroblastoma, diagnosis is primarily through the symptoms, signs, detailed physical examinations, medical history inquiries, and most importantly, radiological data, which includes CT scans or MRI of the head. Definitive diagnosis requires surgical removal of the tumor. A small amount of tumor tissue is retained after excision and used for pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis. Neuroblastoma is categorized as an epithelial-like malignant tumor, indicative of a high degree of malignancy. In most cases, early in the disease, the tumor adheres to surrounding tissues, which greatly complicates complete surgical removal, and most patients have a poor prognosis.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Neuroblastoma is what disease

Neuroblastoma is a highly malignant epithelial neurocyte tissue tumor, which is relatively aggressive. Often in the early stages of the disease, the tumor tissue adheres to surrounding brain tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, making it impossible to completely remove it surgically. The residual tumor cells quickly recur over time. As a result, most neuroblastoma patients have a poor prognosis and short survival time, even with effective surgical treatment, including postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, it is recommended that those diagnosed with neuroblastoma undergo early further examinations and treatments.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Neuroblastoma treatment

Neuroblastoma is relatively considered a malignant tumor, and its growth rate is quite rapid. It often adheres to surrounding tissues in the early stages, which makes it very difficult to completely remove surgically. However, even so, it is still advisable to opt for surgical treatment once neuroblastoma is detected. The tumor should be completely removed surgically, and a small amount of tumor tissue should be retained for pathological examination after removal. Based on the results of the pathological examination, it will be determined whether additional treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy are needed. Furthermore, since some neuroblastomas are sensitive to radiotherapy, it is recommended to promptly take the patient to a local hospital for treatment after surgery.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Early symptoms of neuroblastoma

For patients with neuroblastoma, in the early stages, due to the small size of the tumor, there generally lacks clear clinical signs or symptoms. Most patients experience mild headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, accompanied by a certain degree of vertigo. However, in most cases, these symptoms can be tolerated. Patients often have episodic attacks, with a persistent worsening condition. Later, as the tumor grows further, it may lead to an exacerbation of existing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may also experience abnormalities in the sensation of one side of the body, manifested as numbness, pain, and a tingling sensation.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Is calcification of neuroblastoma good?

In clinical practice, although calcification is a relatively favorable phenomenon, the overall condition of neuroblastoma does not change significantly because of it. Therefore, it is still not a good sign. For neuroblastoma, whether calcification occurs or not, it remains a form of tumor. Only through early surgical treatment can the problem be fundamentally resolved, otherwise, there is a tendency for recurrence and metastasis to occur later on. Moreover, it is important to note that regardless of whether the tumor calcifies, its nature does not change. Only fundamental treatment can bring better hope, so calcification does not lead to very good outcomes.