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.