Manifestations of neuroblastoma depending on localization

Neuroblastoma  is one of the specific malignant solid tumors that occur in childhood. It occupies the 6th place in the overall structure of pediatric oncological pathology and accounts for 8% of all oncological diseases. Neuroblastoma occurs in children under 14 years of age. The cause of neuroblastoma has not yet been determined. In most cases, the disease is spontaneous, in other cases there is a hereditary predisposition. Hereditary neuroblastoma is characterized by early onset and multiple tumor patterns.

Causes and histological variants of neuroblastoma

A characteristic chromosomal disorder is a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 1 with impaired functioning of the 1p31-32 locus. Neuroblastoma refers to embryonic tumors and develops from pluripotent cells of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system.

The following histological subtypes of neuroblastoma are distinguished:

• typical (sympathoblastoma, sympathogonioma);
• ganglioneuroblastoma;
• ganglioneuroma is a benign variant.

Manifestations of neuroblastoma consist of general symptoms and specific manifestations, depending on the location.

Clinical manifestations of neuroblastoma depending on localization

Common symptoms include pallor of the skin, weight loss, loss of appetite and an unjustified increase in temperature to subfebrile numbers. Read on for the main symptoms of neuroblastoma on estet-portal.com. If the neuroblastoma produces catecholamine, then this is manifested by an increase in blood pressure, sweating and tachycardia.

Symptoms of neuroblastoma depending on location:

• In the case when the neuroblastoma is located in the abdomen, it is typical to detect a dense, mobile and tuberous tumor on palpation. In this case, there are sharp pains in the abdomen and symptoms associated with squeezing the organs of the digestive tract.
• Also, with abdominal localization of neuroblastoma, paraneoplastic syndrome Kerner – Morrison. This is diarrhea associated with hypokalemia and cerebral ataxia.
• Neuroblastoma in the pelvic region is manifested by dysfunction of the pelvic organs and swelling of the lower extremities. Neuroblastoma in the mediastinum presents with cough, dyspnea, and Horner's sign. Germination of neuroblastoma into the spinal canal is possible, which is accompanied by neurological symptoms characteristic of the level of the lesion.
• Often, neuroblastoma metastasizes to the brain with further spread of the process to the retrobulbar space. In this case, the child develops exophthalmos and paraorbital hemorrhages.

Diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma. Forecast for children

The diagnostic process for neuroblastoma consists of several stages.

A monitoring test is performed to detect neuroblastoma – determination of the total level of urinary excretion of catecholamines and their fractions. These are dopamine, homovanillic and vinylmaldelic acid. With an increase in the level of these substances by 3 times, the diagnosis of neuroblastoma can be considered reliable.

Changes in peripheral blood are nonspecific. To clarify the localization of neuroblastoma, additional research methods are used.

Treatment of neuroblastoma should begin as soon as the diagnosis is established. Neuroblastoma therapy is carried out in specialized institutions. A course of chemotherapy is mandatory. The best prognosis for neuroblastoma is in children under 1 year of age.