Personal stories from real people who survived their disease … And how they did it!

personal stories from people who successfully battled their disease and how they did it

More about Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops in immature cells, or neurons, of the sympathetic nervous system. It develops as a solid tumor. It’s often found in the: Adrenal gland, Pelvis, Abdomen, Neck and/or Chest. If it progresses, it can spread to bones, lymph nodes, and skin. While neuroblastoma is a rare cancer in general, it’s the most common type of cancer among infants. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, approximately 700 new cases of neuroblastoma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Most of them are diagnosed among young children. It’s usually diagnosed before they reach the age of 5.

Children with Neuroblastoma

Your child’s outlook will depend on their cancer’s stage and risk level. According to the American Cancer Society, children with low-risk neuroblastoma have a five-year survival rate that’s higher than 95 percent. Children with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma have a five-year survival rate of about 90 to 95 percent. Those in the high-risk group have a five-year survival rate of about 40 to 50 percent.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of neuroblastoma include: A lump in the neck, chest, or abdomen, Bulging eyes, Dark circles under the eyes, Abdominal swelling, Bone pain, Weakness in the upper or lower extremities, Paralysis of, or an inability to move, the upper or lower extremities and/or Painless, bluish swellings beneath the skin. Many other conditions can cause these symptoms. They don’t necessarily point to a diagnosis of neuroblastoma.