{"id":3621,"date":"2019-02-05T08:10:33","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T08:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3621"},"modified":"2021-05-27T13:08:13","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:08:13","slug":"15-signs-of-neuroblastoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-signs-of-neuroblastoma\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs of Neuroblastoma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that develops in the immature or developing nerve cells all around the body. Neuroblastoma most prominently manifests around dor in the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands are similar to nerve cells in terms of origins and are located on top of your kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, neuroblastoma can also manifest in other areas of your body including the spine, neck, chest, and abdomen. It will develop in areas where nerve cells are present. Neuroblastoma prominently affects children below the age of five, but it could also occur in older kids in some cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some types of neuroblastoma that resolve themselves whereas other varieties could require various forms of treatment. The type of treatment that needs to be administered is dependent on various factors. There are a few telltale signs that a child may have neuroblastoma, and today we\u2019re going to explore eight of these signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Painless lump in neck or abdomen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Painless lumps in the abdomen or neck could be one sign that neuroblastoma is developing in your child. Children who have the hereditary <\/a>form of neuroblastoma will develop tumors in various parts of their bodies at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, those who have the sporadic, non-familial form of neuroblastoma will develop either a sole tumor in one spot or a tumor that moves from one area to the next over the course of a few days, weeks or even months. If you notice a lump in the abdomen or neck of your child, ask them if it is painful. If they say it isn\u2019t painful, it may be a sign that they have developed neuroblastoma and you should bring them to their pediatrician to get them checked immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that you don\u2019t need to panic if you find a lump in either of these locations as there are other non-cancerous things that might have caused them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Swelling of the legs or upper chest, neck, and face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling <\/a>of the face, neck, chest, or legs might also be an indicator that your child has neuroblastoma. If you notice chronic swelling that doesn\u2019t go away with time and seemingly has no cause, it might be a result of undiagnosed neuroblastoma. Even if you live in areas with tons of mosquitos, do not shrug off the swelling and assume it\u2019s due to mosquito bites. The easiest way to distinguish between the two is to look at the scale of the swelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mosquito bites leave localized swelling in small areas, dots even, whereas swelling caused by neuroblastoma is more widespread in most cases. Any swelling that does not subside within a week\u2019s time can be considered chronic swelling and should be checked by a physician to ensure that there are no underlying conditions that are causing it. For cancer, as well as other diseases, diagnosing it early on is the best way to increase the odds of survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Problems breathing or swallowing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Problems with swallowing food or breathing could be another sign that your child has neuroblastoma. Bear in mind that these symptoms could also be caused by other conditions such as asthma <\/a>or even rabies. That said, whether or not neuroblastoma is the cause of these symptoms, it\u2019s imperative that you get your children tested so that you can pinpoint the cause of the symptoms and administer and necessary treatment before the condition of your child worsens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the difficulty breathing occurs in episodes, it might be due to recurring respiratory infection. In contrast, if you find that the difficulty breathing is chronic, there is a higher chance that it is caused by neuroblastoma. Start by taking your kid to their pediatrician and seeing what they have to say about the symptoms. After that, you can visit a specialist to run some tests and see if there are any respiratory issues that your child is suffering from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Weight loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Weight loss<\/a> in adults is usually praised, especially for those who are overweight and trying to lead a healthier life. That said, it can be a harbinger of disease when it is present in children and has no apparent cause. If your child has increased activity and\/or reduced their caloric intake for whatever reason, weight loss is likely to occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, if neither of these has happened yet your child still loses weight at an alarmingly fast rate, it could be due to neuroblastoma or other disease. If you notice rapid weight loss in your child, attempt to increase their caloric intake. If this does not stop the weight loss, get them checked for various diseases so that you can get to the bottom of why they are losing so much weight in such a short amount of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After running all the tests, your doctor will be able to tell you why your child is losing weight and what you can do to stop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Loss of appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Loss of appetite in children is never a good sign as it suggests that their body is preoccupied with a condition and as a result isn\u2019t focused on taking in the proper amount of calories<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that could cause a loss of appetite, and most of them aren\u2019t as serious as neuroblastoma. That said, it\u2019s still important that you get your child tested to find out why they\u2019ve lost their appetite and what you can do to restore it. In some cases, a loss of appetite in children may be a harbinger to influenza or the common cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, there have been various studies linking immune system activity with decreased appetite. That said, while it could be something as harmless as a cold coming on, it never hurts to get your child checked so that you can ensure that it isn\u2019t something more serious \u2014 such as neuroblastoma \u2014 and administer proper treatment if it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Problems with bowel movements or urinating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that can cause issues with regard to bowel <\/a>movements and urination. Urinary tract infections could lead to the abnormal frequency in urination whereas many conditions can cause diarrhea or constipation for bowel movements. While the issues that cause these symptoms are usually not very life-threatening, it\u2019s important to get your child checked out to ensure that it is not in fact caused by neuroblastoma. If doctors find that the irregular bowel movements and abnormal urination is caused by neuroblastoma, immediate measures need to be taken to ensure that the condition does not progress and instead recedes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people shrug off symptoms like diarrhea because of how common it is. They often think that it might just be something they ate. But it\u2019s important to remember that these symptoms are your body\u2019s way of telling you that something isn\u2019t right. With neuroblastoma, much like other diseases, you need to diagnose early if you hope to nip it at the bud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Pain in bones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bone pain can be caused by many things. Osteoporosis <\/a>is one such condition that can cause bone pains in an individual. That said, while bone pain is very common in older people, it should be given due attention when it manifests in a person that is much younger, say below the age of five. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children who have bone pain may be suffering from conditions that could disrupt the healthy development of their skeletal system. Furthermore, bone pain is also a symptom of neuroblastoma. If your child is complaining about bone pain, you should get them checked out with their pediatrician immediately to verify whether or not there is a need for immediate treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many parents neglect the complaints of their children when it is in regards to bone pain, often assuming it\u2019s just a result of rough play or falling down. That said, there are some serious conditions like neuroblastoma that can cause bone pain, so listen to your children and get them checked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Bumps in the skin that may appear blue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blue bumps in the skin could be caused by many conditions, but neuroblastoma can also cause these bumps to appear. Many parents will shrug these bumps off thinking it\u2019s due to an external injury<\/a> such as collision with a piece of furniture. That being said, blue bumps in the skin could also be due to internal issues. Neuroblastoma has been known to cause blue bumps in the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice these bumps on the skin of your child, it is advised that you get them checked up so that you can determine what the root cause of the bumps are and whether or not it is in fact neuroblastoma. It becomes even more important to get your child tested if these bumps have been present for an extended period of time and have not gone away. After running a few tests, your doctor will be able to tell you what the exact cause of these bumps are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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