Neuroblastoma is a type of childhood cancer that starts in immature nerve cells in the sympathetic nervous system.
The autonomic system ( which is part of the peripheral nervous system) is divided into to the parasympathetic system and the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system controls activities when the body is at rest. The sympathetic nervous system controls involuntary body functions like breathing and digestion. It prepares the body for action. The nerves in this system control the fight-or-flight response.
The immature nerve cells in the sympathetic nervous system are called neuroblasts. Sometimes neuroblasts, change and no longer behave or grow normally. These changes in the neuroblasts are what may lead to …show more content…
Neuroblastoma can develop anywhere in the sympathetic nervous system, but it usually starts in the abdomen in the adrenal gland above the kidneys. The spinal cord in the neck, pelvis, or chest are also common areas for neuroblastoma to start.
Rare cases cause ganglioneuroblastoma, which is a rare tumour that is somewhere between cancerous and non-cancerous.
Statistics and Incidence
The statistics for neuroblastoma are included with other peripheral nervous system cancers. This means that numbers may not be exact for neuroblastoma.
Approximately 480 Canadian children were diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Approximately 68 Canadian children died from neuroblastoma.
These statistics are the incidence and mortality statistics for neuroblastoma for children aged 0-14 from 2008-2013
Risk Factors:
Some risk factors of neuroblastoma include family history, and genetic conditions.
Genetic conditions such as Hirschsprung disease, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 and Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome have all been linked to neuroblastoma due to the fact that they all involve changes in immature nerve cells (neuroblasts).
Screening/ Testing Methods:
In order to screen for neuroblastoma doctors will order one or more of the following
The autonomic system ( which is part of the peripheral nervous system) is divided into to the parasympathetic system and the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system controls activities when the body is at rest. The sympathetic nervous system controls involuntary body functions like breathing and digestion. It prepares the body for action. The nerves in this system control the fight-or-flight response.
The immature nerve cells in the sympathetic nervous system are called neuroblasts. Sometimes neuroblasts, change and no longer behave or grow normally. These changes in the neuroblasts are what may lead to …show more content…
Neuroblastoma can develop anywhere in the sympathetic nervous system, but it usually starts in the abdomen in the adrenal gland above the kidneys. The spinal cord in the neck, pelvis, or chest are also common areas for neuroblastoma to start.
Rare cases cause ganglioneuroblastoma, which is a rare tumour that is somewhere between cancerous and non-cancerous.
Statistics and Incidence
The statistics for neuroblastoma are included with other peripheral nervous system cancers. This means that numbers may not be exact for neuroblastoma.
Approximately 480 Canadian children were diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Approximately 68 Canadian children died from neuroblastoma.
These statistics are the incidence and mortality statistics for neuroblastoma for children aged 0-14 from 2008-2013
Risk Factors:
Some risk factors of neuroblastoma include family history, and genetic conditions.
Genetic conditions such as Hirschsprung disease, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 and Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome have all been linked to neuroblastoma due to the fact that they all involve changes in immature nerve cells (neuroblasts).
Screening/ Testing Methods:
In order to screen for neuroblastoma doctors will order one or more of the following