 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Neuroblastoma, a form of cancer
that occurs in infants and children, is rarely found in children older than 10
years. The cells of this cancer usually resemble very primitive developing
nerve cells found in an embryo or fetus. (The term neuro indicates
"nerves," while blastoma refers to a cancer that affects immature or
developing cells).
Neurons (nerve cells) are the main component of the brain and spinal cord and
of the nerves that connect them to the rest of the body. These cells are
essential for thinking, sensation, and movement. There is a part of the nervous
system that we are rarely aware of, called the autonomic nervous system, which
controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and
digestion. The sympathetic nervous system is a part of the autonomic nervous
system. It includes:
-
nerve fibers that run alongside the spinal cord
-
clusters of nerve cells called ganglia (plural of ganglion) at certain points
along the path of the nerve fibers
-
nerve-like cells found in the medulla (center) of the adrenal glands. The
adrenals are triangular-shaped glands located above the kidneys. The hormone
adrenaline comes from these cells in the adrenal gland.
About one-third of neuroblastomas start in the adrenal glands, another third
begin in the sympathetic nervous system ganglia of the abdomen, and the rest
start in sympathetic ganglia of the chest or neck or the parasympathetic
ganglia (another part of the autonomic nervous system) in the pelvis. Some can
start in the spinal cord. Rarely, a neuroblastoma may have spread so
extensively by the time it is found that doctors are unable to determine
exactly where it started.
Not all childhood autonomic nervous system tumors are malignant (cancerous).
There is a benign tumor called ganglioneuroma, which is composed of mature
ganglion and nerve sheaths that do not continue to grow.
Revised 10-28-03
For more information about Neuroblastoma you can go to:
http://www.cancer.org
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
