Can neuroblastoma be treated?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Neuroblastoma is the most common tumor in childhood, and it is also the most common in infants and toddlers. Typically, neuroblastoma is a type of neuroendocrine tumor, clinically found often in the adrenal glands or in nervous tissues such as the neck, chest, and abdomen. Currently, neuroblastoma can be effectively classified according to its level of risk into low-risk, intermediate-risk, or high-risk groups. For patients in the low-risk group, surgical treatment can achieve satisfactory results; for patients in the intermediate-risk or high-risk groups, treatment often involves a combination of methods, yet still may not achieve satisfactory results.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Symptoms of neuroblastoma recurrence

For neuroblastoma, when the tumor recurs, the patient's original symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting will reappear, occurring intermittently and worsening persistently. Most patients will experience significant increased intracranial pressure, and even frequent nausea and vomiting. Additionally, some neuroblastoma patients experience severe vertigo, especially when changing body positions, where the vertigo is particularly pronounced. For such patients, when the above symptoms and signs occur, they should go to a local hospital as soon as possible for a reassessment using cranial MRI to monitor changes in their condition.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Is neuroblastoma hereditary?

Neuroblastoma has a partial genetic predisposition, but current research has not definitively determined the extent or probability of its heritability. For modern neuroblastoma, its origin is primarily associated with genetic mutations or chromosomal changes. Factors such as smoking, drinking, and drug use by the mother during pregnancy can severely harm the fetus and potentially lead to the development of neuroblastoma. Sometimes, excessive radiation or the misuse of certain drugs can also cause neuroblastoma. Therefore, while there is a certain genetic tendency for neuroblastoma, it is not the main factor.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
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Is neuroblastoma a cancer?

Neuroblastoma is a highly malignant tumor, one of the most malignant among neuroepithelial tumors, and thus can be considered as cancer from this perspective. Typically, its tumor biology growth pattern is that of a malignant tumor, often growing rapidly. In the early stages of the disease, it tends to adhere closely to surrounding tissues, making it difficult for surgery to be completely successful. In addition, during treatment, it can be observed that the tumor cells are highly invasive to surrounding tissues. This often leads to significant brain edema, resulting in compression of important surrounding blood vessels and nerves, causing functional damage. The tumor can also spread through the bloodstream, making it difficult to completely remove surgically, or to miss the optimal time for surgical treatment, resulting in a poor prognosis.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Early symptoms of neuroblastoma

For neuroblastoma, in the early stages of the disease, mild headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting often occur, but the symptoms are relatively mild and most can be tolerated. As the disease gradually progresses and the tumor volume begins to increase, it compresses the surrounding brain tissue and cranial nerves, causing the patient to exhibit certain degrees of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and other clinical manifestations. As the tumor volume further increases and cerebral edema becomes apparent with elevated intracranial pressure, it may lead to cranial nerve dysfunction in patients. For instance, it might trigger epileptic seizures or cause patients to experience hemiplegia, aphasia, and other clinical manifestations. Once these symptoms occur, it is advisable to visit a local hospital early for treatment.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Neuroblastoma in children

Neuroblastoma does not specifically concern how old the child is, as it can occur in children during their developmental process, and even in newborns, adolescents, and adults. There is no specific timing required for its occurrence. Therefore, for neuroblastoma, the principle is to initiate treatment as soon as it is detected. Although the prognosis may not be very good, the aim should be to extend the patient's life and reduce suffering as much as possible. After all, no matter the age, the patient is a loved one.