Neuroblastoma and Childhood Cancer

Why Early Detection and Diagnosis are Important

Neuroblastoma is often first discovered when parents or a physician feel a mass or tumor somewhere in the child's body. Sometimes symptoms resemble those of many more common childhood illnesses, such as bruising, mild flu symptoms, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Sometimes there are no outward symptoms. More acute symptoms can include bone pain, hypertension, anemia, skin nodules, a pronounced limp, or a refusal to walk. Because symptoms are so unclear, half of all neuroblastomas have already spread to other parts of the body by the time suspicions are raised and a diagnosis is made.

For all stages, infants less than one year old have a much better chance for remission and survival than older children. Early diagnosis is one of our best weapons in the war against Neuroblastoma. Children under the age of one have a cure rate as high as 90%. For children over the age of one, statistics are much worse. Between 1985-1994, for children aged 1 to 4 years at diagnosis, the 5-year survival rate was 55%; for children 5 years and older, 40%. More alarmingly, though, are results from a St. Jude study that reviewed medical records of patients older than 1 year who had advanced (stage IV) Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial (not involving the brain) solid tumor of childhood. The investigators found that the 5-year survival estimates were at about 30%. A report on this study appeared in the December 15, 2005, edition of the journal CANCER.

The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. If you feel your child has a problem, please consult a medical professional. Links provided on this website do not imply recommendations or endorsements of any products or services.