EnlargeNeuroblastoma may be found in the adrenal glands and paraspinal nerve tissue from the neck to the pelvis.
Neuroblastoma most often begins in infancy. It is usually diagnosed between the first month of life and age 5 years. The tumor is found when it begins to grow and cause signs or symptoms. Sometimes it forms before birth and is found during an ultrasound of the baby.
Certain genetic conditions affect the risk of having neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma is caused by certain changes to the way neuroblast cells function, especially how they grow and divide into new cells. There are many risk factors for neuroblastoma, but many do not directly cause cancer. Instead, they increase the chance of DNA damage in cells that may lead to neuroblastoma. To learn more about how cancer develops, see What Is Cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases the chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors can be changed. Risk factors also include things people cannot change, like family history. It's important to learn about risk factors for neuroblastoma because it can help you make choices for screening for cancer.
Possible risk factors for neuroblastoma include the following:
ROHHAD syndromes (rapid-onset obesity, hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysfunction).
Having a strong family history of neuroblastoma.
Genetic testing can determine whether a child has an inherited form of neuroblastoma.
Genemutations that increase the risk of neuroblastoma are sometimes inherited (passed from the parent to the child). In children with a gene mutation, neuroblastoma usually occurs at a younger age, and more than one tumor may form in the adrenal glands or in the nerve tissue in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
It is not always clear from the family medical history whether a condition is inherited. Certain families may benefit from genetic counseling and genetic testing. Genetic counselors and other specially trained health professionals can discuss a child's diagnosis and the family's medical history to understand:
Their options for ALK or PHOX2B gene testing.
The risk of neuroblastoma for the child and the child's siblings.
The risks and benefits of learning genetic information.
Genetic counselors can also help parents cope with their child's genetic testing results, including how to discuss the results with family members.
Once it is known that the child has an inherited form of neuroblastoma, other family members can be screened for the ALK or PHOX2B mutation.
Sometimes children with certain gene mutations should be checked for signs of neuroblastoma.
Children with certain gene mutations or hereditary (inherited) syndromes should be checked for signs of neuroblastoma until they are 10 years old. The following tests may be used:
Abdominal ultrasound: A test in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off the abdomen and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of the abdomen called a sonogram.
Urinecatecholamine studies: A test in which a urine sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), that are made when catecholamines break down and are released into the urine. A higher-than-normal amount of VMA or HVA can be a sign of neuroblastoma.
Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
Talk to your child's doctor about how often these tests need to be done.
Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma include bone pain or a lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest.
The most common signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma are caused by the tumor pressing on nearby tissues as it grows or by cancer spreading to the bone.
Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of the following:
lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest
bone pain
swollen stomach and trouble breathing (in infants)
bulging eyes
dark circles around the eyes ("black eyes")
painless, bluish lumps under the skin (in infants)
weakness or paralysis (loss of ability to move a body part)
Less common signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma include the following:
Horner syndrome (droopy eyelid, smaller pupil, and less sweating on one side of the face)
jerky muscle movements
uncontrolled eye movements
These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by neuroblastoma or by other conditions. The only way to know is to see your child's doctor. The doctor will ask you when the symptoms started and how often your child has been having them as a first step in making a diagnosis.
Tests that examine many different body tissues and fluids are used to diagnose neuroblastoma.
If your child has symptoms that suggest neuroblastoma, their doctor will need to find out if these are due to cancer or another condition. They will ask about your child's personal and family medical history and do a physical exam.
Depending on your child's symptoms and medical history and the results of their physical and neurological exam, the doctor may recommend more tests to find out if your child has neuroblastoma, and if so, its extent (stage). The results of the tests and procedures done to diagnose neuroblastoma are used to help make decisions about treatment.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
Urine catecholamine studies: A test in which a urine sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), that are made when catecholamines break down and are released into the urine. A higher-than-normal amount of VMA or HVA can be a sign of neuroblastoma.
Blood chemistry studies: A test in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. A higher-than-normal amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) can be a sign of disease.
Ferritin level: A test in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amount of ferritin (a protein that stores iron in cells). A higher-than-normal amount may be a sign of disease.
MIBG scan: A procedure used to find neuroendocrine tumors, such as neuroblastoma. A very small amount of a substance called radioactive MIBG is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. Neuroendocrine tumor cells take up the radioactive MIBG and are detected by a scanner. Scans may be taken over 1-3 days. An iodine solution may be given before or during the test to keep the thyroid gland from absorbing too much of the MIBG. This test is also used to find out how well the tumor is responding to treatment. MIBG is also used in high doses to treat neuroblastoma.
CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. To learn more, see Computed Tomography (CT) Scans and Cancer.EnlargeComputed tomography (CT) scan. The child lies on a table that slides through the CT scanner, which takes a series of detailed x-ray pictures of areas inside the body.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with gadolinium: A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. A substance called gadolinium is injected into a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).EnlargeMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The child lies on a table that slides into the MRI machine, which takes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The positioning of the child on the table depends on the part of the body being imaged.
PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do. This test will usually only be done if the tumor does not take up MIBG.
X-ray of the chest or bone: An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
Ultrasound exam: A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. An ultrasound exam is not done if a CT/MRI has been done.EnlargeAbdominal ultrasound. An ultrasound transducer connected to a computer is pressed against the skin of the abdomen. The transducer bounces sound waves off internal organs and tissues to make echoes that form a sonogram (computer picture).
Tumor biopsy: Cells and tissues are removed during a biopsy so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. The way the biopsy is done depends on where the tumor is in the body. Sometimes the whole tumor is removed at the same time the biopsy is done. The doctor who reviews the tumor biopsy will determine if the tumor appears to have more favorable or unfavorable features. These features may affect treatment and survival.
Children up to age 6 months may not need a biopsy or surgery to remove the tumor because the tumor may disappear without treatment.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The removal of bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone by inserting a hollow needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views the bone marrow, blood, and bone under a microscope to look for signs of cancer. This test is also used to stage the tumor.EnlargeBone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After a small area of skin is numbed, a bone marrow needle is inserted into the child’s hip bone. Samples of blood, bone, and bone marrow are removed for examination under a microscope.
Lymph node biopsy: The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist views the lymph node tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. This test is used to diagnose and stage the tumor. One of the following types of biopsies may be done:
Light microscopy: A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under regular and high-powered microscopes to look for certain changes in the cells.
Immunohistochemistry: A laboratory test that uses antibodies to check for certain antigens (markers) in a sample of a patient’s tissue. The antibodies are usually linked to an enzyme or a fluorescent dye. After the antibodies bind to a specific antigen in the tissue sample, the enzyme or dye is activated, and the antigen can then be seen under a microscope. This type of test is used to help diagnose cancer and to help tell one type of cancer from another type of cancer.
Biomarker testing: Biomarker testing is a way to look for genes, proteins, and other substances (called biomarkers or tumor markers) that can provide information about cancer. Some biomarkers affect how certain cancers behave and how certain treatments work. Biomarker testing may help your doctor choose a cancer treatment.
To check for these biomarkers, samples of tissue containing neuroblastoma cells are removed during a biopsy or surgery and tested in a laboratory.
Neuroblastoma biomarker testing includes the following:
MYCN amplification study: A laboratory study in which cells in a sample of tumor or bone marrow are checked to see how many copies of the MYCN gene are in the tumor DNA. MYCN is important for cell growth. Having more than 10 copies of the gene is called MYCN amplification. Neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification is more likely to spread in the body and more likely to show rapid growth.
ALK: The tumor cells may be checked in the laboratory for mutations or amplification (checking the number) of the ALK gene. These changes may increase the growth of cancer cells. Finding changes in the ALK gene in tumor tissue may lead to changes in the cancer treatment plan.
Cytogenetic analysis: A laboratory test in which the number and structure of chromosomes of cells in a sample of tissue are counted and checked for any changes, such as broken, missing, rearranged, or extra chromosomes. Changes in certain chromosomes may be a sign of cancer. Cytogenetic analysis is used to help diagnose cancer, plan treatment, or find out how well treatment is working.
ALK or PHOX2B genetic tests: A laboratory test in which a sample of blood or tissue is tested for a change in the ALK gene or PHOX2B gene in normal cells.
Getting a second opinion.
Some people want to get a second opinion to confirm their child’s neuroblastoma diagnosis and treatment plan. If you choose to seek a second opinion, you will need to get important medical test results and reports from the first doctor to share with the second doctor. The second doctor will review the pathology report, slides, and scans before giving a recommendation. The doctor who gives the second opinion may agree with the first doctor, suggest changes or another approach, or provide more information about your child’s cancer.
To learn more about choosing a doctor and getting a second opinion, see Finding Health Care Services. You can contact NCI’s Cancer Information Service via chat, email, or phone (both in English and Spanish) for help finding a doctor or hospital that can provide a second opinion. For questions you might want to ask at your appointments, see Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance
of recovery) and treatment options.
If your child has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, you may have questions about how serious the cancer is and your child's chances of survival. The likely outcome or course of a disease is called prognosis.
The prognosis and treatment options depend on the following:
Prognosis and treatment options for neuroblastoma are also affected by tumor histology, which includes the following:
the patterns of the tumor cells
how different the tumor cells are from normal cells
how fast the tumor cells are growing
The tumor histology is said to be favorable or unfavorable, depending on these factors. A child with favorable tumor histology has a better chance of recovery.
In some children up to age 6 months, neuroblastoma may disappear without treatment. This is called spontaneous regression. The child is closely watched for signs or symptoms of neuroblastoma. If signs or symptoms occur, treatment may be needed.
Stages of Neuroblastoma
Key Points
After neuroblastoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out
if cancer has spread from where it started to other parts of the body.
The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS)
Stage L1
Stage L2
Stage M
Stage MS
Treatment of neuroblastoma is based on risk groups.
Sometimes neuroblastoma does not respond to treatment or comes back after treatment.
After neuroblastoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out
if cancer has spread from where it started to other parts of the body.
The process used to find out the extent or spread of cancer is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process helps determine the stage of the disease. For neuroblastoma, the stage of disease affects whether the cancer is low risk, intermediate risk, or high risk. It also affects the treatment plan. The results of some tests and procedures used to diagnose neuroblastoma may be used for staging. See the General Information section for a description of these tests and procedures.
The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS)
Stage L1
In stage L1, the cancer is in only one area, and there are no image-defined risk factors (IDRFs). IDRFs are found on MRI or CT scans done during diagnosis. IDRFs are used to determine the risk of surgery and the chance of completely removing the tumor.
Stage L2
In stage L2, the cancer is in one area, has not spread beyond nearby tissue, and there are one or more IDRFs.
Stage M
In stage M, neuroblastoma has spread to areas far from the tumor. This does not include stage MS.
Stage MS
In stage MS, children younger than 18 months have cancer that has spread to the skin, liver, and/or bone marrow.
Treatment of neuroblastoma is based on risk groups.
For many types of cancer, stages are used to plan treatment. For neuroblastoma, treatment depends on the patient's risk group. The risk group is determined by the following factors:
The stage of the cancer.
The child's age at diagnosis.
The International Neuroblastoma Pathologic Classification (INPC) (tumor histology).
Whether the tumors are diploid or hyperdiploid (DNA index).
If MYCN is found in the tumor cells.
There are three risk groups: low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk.
Low-risk and intermediate-risk neuroblastoma have a good chance of being cured.
Sometimes neuroblastoma does not respond to treatment or comes back after treatment.
Refractory neuroblastoma is a tumor that does not respond to treatment.
Recurrent neuroblastoma is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The tumor may come back in the site where it began or in the central nervous system.
Treatment Option Overview
Key Points
There are different types of treatment for patients with neuroblastoma.
Children with neuroblastoma should have their treatment
planned by a team of doctors who are experts in treating childhood cancer, especially neuroblastoma.
The following types of treatment may be used:
Observation
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
High-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy with stem cell rescue
Iodine 131-MIBG therapy
Targeted therapy
Other drug therapy
New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.
Immunotherapy
Treatment for neuroblastoma causes side effects and late effects.
Follow-up tests may be needed.
There are different types of treatment for patients with neuroblastoma.
There are different types of treatment for children and adolescents with neuroblastoma. You and your child's cancer team will work together to decide treatment. Many factors will be considered, such as your child's overall health and whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has come back.
Children with neuroblastoma should have their treatment
planned by a team of doctors who are experts in treating childhood cancer, especially neuroblastoma.
A
pediatric oncologist, a doctor who specializes
in treating children with cancer, will oversee treatment. The pediatric oncologist works with other pediatric health care professionals who are experts in treating children
with cancer and who specialize
in certain areas of medicine. These may include the following
specialists and others:
Your child's treatment plan will include information about the cancer, the goals of treatment, treatment options, and the possible side effects. It will be helpful to talk with your child's cancer care team before treatment begins about what to expect. For help every step of the way, see our downloadable booklet, Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents.
Surgery is used to treat neuroblastoma that has not spread to other parts of the body. As much of the tumor as is safely possible is removed. Lymph nodes are also removed and checked for signs of cancer.
If the tumor cannot be removed, a biopsy may be done instead.
Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy).
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy:
External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. This treatment is used for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma or for patients whose tumor grew while being treated with chemotherapy.
Radioimmunotherapy: A type of radiation therapy in which a radioactive substance is linked to a monoclonal antibody and injected into the body. The monoclonal antibody can bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells. The radioactive substance gives off radiation, which may help kill cancer cells.
High-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy with stem cell rescue
High-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given to kill any cancer cells that may regrow and cause the cancer to come back. Healthy cells, including blood-forming cells, are also destroyed by the cancer treatment. Stem cell rescue is a treatment to replace the blood-forming cells. Stem cells (immature blood cells) are removed from the blood or bone marrow of the patient and are frozen and stored. After the completion of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the stored stem cells are thawed and given back to the patient through an infusion. These reinfused stem cells grow into (and restore) the body's blood cells.
Iodine 131-MIBG therapy
Iodine 131-MIBGtherapy is a treatment with radioactive iodine. The radioactive iodine is given through an intravenous (IV) line and enters the bloodstream, which carries radiation directly to tumor cells. Radioactive iodine collects in neuroblastoma cells and kills them with the radiation that is given off. Iodine 131-MIBG therapy is sometimes used to treat high-risk neuroblastoma that comes back after initial treatment.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to block the action of specific enzymes, proteins, or other molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Monoclonal antibody therapy: Monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins made in the laboratory to treat many diseases, including cancer. As a cancer treatment, these antibodies can attach to a specific target on cancer cells or other cells that may help cancer cells grow. The antibodies are able to then kill the cancer cells, block their growth, or keep them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion. They may be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly to cancer cells.
Dinutuximab is used to treat patients with high-risk neuroblastoma and neuroblastoma that has come back after treatment or has not responded to treatment.
How do monoclonal antibodies work to treat cancer? This video shows how monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, pembrolizumab, and rituximab, block molecules cancer cells need to grow, flag cancer cells for destruction by the body’s immune system, or deliver harmful substances to cancer cells.
Vorinostat is being studied to treat neuroblastoma that has come back after treatment or has not responded to treatment.
Ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor therapy slows the growth and division of cancer cells.
Eflornithine is being studied in combination with chemotherapy to treat neuroblastoma that has come back after treatment or has not responded to treatment.
Other drugs used in combination to treat neuroblastoma include the following:
Isotretinoin: A vitamin-like drug that slows the cancer's ability to make more cancer cells and changes how these cells look and act. This drug is taken by mouth.
New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.
A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. For some patients, taking part in a clinical trial may be an option. Because cancer in children is rare, taking part in a clinical trial should be considered.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment. Clinical trials supported by other organizations can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
CAR T-cell therapy: The patient's T cells (a type of immune system cell) are changed so that they will attack certain proteins on the surface of cancer cells. T cells are taken from the patient, and special receptors are added to their surface in the laboratory. The changed cells are called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. The CAR T cells are grown in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion. The CAR T cells multiply in the patient's blood and attack cancer cells. EnlargeCAR T-cell therapy. A type of treatment in which a patient’s T cells (a type of immune cell) are changed in the laboratory so they will bind to cancer cells and kill them. Blood from a vein in the patient’s arm flows through a tube to an apheresis machine (not shown), which removes the white blood cells, including the T cells, and sends the rest of the blood back to the patient. Then, the gene for a special receptor called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is inserted into the T cells in the laboratory. Millions of the CAR T cells are grown in the laboratory and then given to the patient by infusion. The CAR T cells are able to bind to an antigen on the cancer cells and kill them.
CAR T-cell therapy is being studied to treat neuroblastoma that has come back after treatment or has not responded to treatment.
Side effects from cancer treatment that begin after treatment and continue for months or years are called late effects. Late effects of cancer treatment may include:
Some late effects may be treated or controlled. It is important to talk with your child's doctors about the effects cancer treatment can have on your child. To learn more, see Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer.
Follow-up tests may be needed.
Some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or to find out the stage of the cancer may be repeated. Some tests will be repeated in order to see how well the treatment is working. Decisions about whether to continue, change, or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests.
Some of the tests will continue to be done from time to time after treatment has ended. The results of these tests can show if your child's condition has changed or if the cancer has recurred (come back). These tests are sometimes called follow-up tests or check-ups.
Follow-up tests for patients with neuroblastoma include the following:
Observation alone for infants younger than 6 months who have small adrenaltumors or for infants who do not have signs or symptoms of neuroblastoma.
Observation with biopsy for infants younger than age 1 year who have favorable histology and meet other low-risk criteria.
Chemotherapy with or without surgery, for children with symptoms or children whose tumor has continued to grow and cannot be removed by surgery.
Chemotherapy, for certain patients.
Radiation therapy to treat tumors that are causing serious problems and do not respond quickly to chemotherapy or surgery.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
Radiation therapy to treat tumors that have continued to grow during treatment with chemotherapy or tumors that cannot be removed by surgery and have continued to grow after treatment with chemotherapy.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
Because there is no standard treatment, patients first treated for high-risk neuroblastoma may want to consider a clinical trial. For information about clinical trials, please see the NCI website.
A clinical trial that checks a sample of the patient's tumor for certain gene changes. The type of targeted therapy that will be given to the patient depends on the type of gene change.
A clinical trial of targeted therapy (pembrolizumab).
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
