The short answer
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that forms in immature nerve cells and is most often found in infants and young children. It usually begins in the adrenal glands or nerve tissue near the spine. Treatment depends on the child's risk group.
Neuroblastoma forms in immature (developing) nerve cells called neuroblasts.
It is one of the most common cancers in infants and usually affects children under age 5.
It often starts in the adrenal glands but can begin in nerve tissue near the spine, chest, or abdomen.
Children are placed in low-, intermediate-, or high-risk groups that guide treatment.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that forms in very early nerve cells left over from a baby's development. It is most often found in infants and young children, usually under age 5, and frequently begins in the adrenal glands near the kidneys.
Where it starts
Neuroblastoma most often begins in the adrenal glands, but it can also start in nerve tissue along the spine in the chest, neck, or abdomen. Because of this, symptoms vary widely depending on where the tumor is.
Risk groups
Doctors sort neuroblastoma into low-, intermediate-, or high-risk groups using the child's age, the tumor's biology, and how far it has spread. The risk group is the main thing that guides treatment.
How it is treated
Some low-risk tumors are simply watched, because a portion can shrink on their own, or are removed with surgery. Intermediate- and high-risk disease may be treated with chemotherapy and other therapies. Your child's team will explain the plan for their specific risk group.
The child's risk group is the main factor that shapes neuroblastoma treatment.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What is neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that forms in immature nerve cells, called neuroblasts, that are left over from a baby's development. It is most common in infants and young children.
▸Where does it start?
It most often begins in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, but it can start in nerve tissue near the spine, in the chest, neck, or abdomen.
▸Who gets it?
It mainly affects young children, most under age 5, and is one of the most common cancers in infants.
▸How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the risk group. Some low-risk tumors are watched closely or removed with surgery, while higher-risk disease may need chemotherapy and other treatments.
▸What is a risk group?
Doctors combine the child's age, the tumor's features, and how far it has spread to sort neuroblastoma into low, intermediate, or high risk, which guides how intense treatment should be.
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