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Neuroblastoma is a cancer that is very rare. It can appear anywhere in the body and the symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is located. Unfortunately, the disease is asymptomatic. There are several types of tumor, each with different symptoms and ailments. What is the treatment for neuroblastoma? What’s the prognosis?
Neuroblastoma can take various forms, which also causes various ailments. The course of the disease is different for everyone, some patients develop symptoms at the very beginning of the disease, in others the disease is without visible symptoms.
Neuroma – types
A neuroblastoma, or neuroblastoma, is a malignant tumor that is formed from cells that form neuroblasts. It is most often diagnosed in children, in about 85% of cases it occurs before the age of four. It is very rarely diagnosed in adults. The neuroblastoma can be located in the medulla of the adrenal gland, mediastinum, abdominal cavity, brain, neck, and head region. Unfortunately, the neuroblastoma causes metastases already in the first phase of the disease diagnosis, there may be metastases to bones, lymph nodes and bone marrow. The prognosis depends on the patient’s age, stage of disease and genetic evaluation.
The neuroblastoma is most often located around the neck and head. It is made of the myelin sheaths that surround the nerves. The sheath neuroma is often located in nerve VIII, which is responsible for hearing and balance, and is then called an auditory nerve neuroma. This type of neuroma is very rarely malignant.
Neurofibromas are benign changes that form as a result of a genetic disease called neurofibromatosis. These types of fibroids are benign changes, but the symptoms can be bothersome for the patient, for example, if the neuroma is located in the esophagus, it can cause bleeding and its obstruction.
Symptoms of neuroblastoma, their frequency and intensity is determined by the place where the tumor is located, for example, neuromas that appear around the neck and head may cause sensory disturbances in the area of the face, problems with hearing, vision, balance, acute headache (in most cases nervous), dysphagia. Neuroma in the area of the spine can cause limb paresis and sensory disturbance.
Neuroma – treatment
The diagnosis of neuroblastoma is based on an interview with the patient, manual examination, but most of all on imaging tests. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging are performed. This type of examination allows the tumor to be visualized and localized. With neuroblastoma, surgical intervention is necessary. After the surgery, the doctor may also order chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Of course, a good prognosis in the case of the disease is very important for prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy.