Ganglioneuroblastoma

• Causes, incidence, and risk factors

  This rare tumor has a yearly occurrence of less than 5 per 1,000,000 children.

  Tumors of the nervous system vary in their degree of differentiation. The degree of differentiation determines how the tumors appear under the microscope and whether or not they are likely to spread.

  Benign tumors are less likely to spread. Malignant tumors are aggressive, grow quickly, and often spread. A ganglioneuroma  is a benign tumor, while a neuroblastoma  (occurring in children more than a year old) is generally malignant.

  A ganglioneuroblastoma may be localized to one area or it may be widespread, but it is usually less aggressive than a neuroblastoma. The cause is unknown.

• Symptoms

  Most commonly, a mass can be felt in the abdomen, but this condition may also occur in other parts of the body.

• Signs and tests
  • Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy may be necessary.
  • Bone scan may be necessary.
  • CT scan or MRI scan of the affected area
  • MIBG scan may be necessary.
  • Specialized blood and urine tests
  • Surgical biopsy to confirm diagnosis
• Treatment

  Because these tumors are rare, they should be treated in a specialized center by experts who have experience with them.

  Depending on the specific nature of the tumor, treatment can consist of surgery, and possibly chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

• Support Groups

  The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

• Expectations (prognosis)

  The prognosis depends on the extent of the tumor and whether or not some areas of the tumor contain the more aggressive cells of a neuroblastoma.

• Complications
  • Invasion of the tumor into surrounding areas (spread of the tumor)
  • Complications of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
• Calling your health care provider

  Call your health care provider if you feel a mass or growth on your child's body. Make sure children receive routine examinations as part of their well child care.

• References

  Kim S, Chung DH. Pediatric solid malignancies: neuroblastoma and Wilms' tumor. Surg Clin North Am. 2006;86(2):469-487.

  Park JR, Eggert A, Caron H. Neuroblastoma: biology, prognosis, and treatment. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2008;55(1):97-120.

Review Date: 6/10/2008

Reviewed By: James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.