Survival Rate for Neuroblastoma

The survival rate for neuroblastoma varies depending on stage, location, age, health, and aggressiveness of the cancer.

Neuroblastoma is most common in children under 1 year old and rare in children over 10 years old. It is typically diagnosed in children aged 1-2 years.

According to the American Cancer Society, the overall five-year survival rate for neuroblastoma in children under 15 years old is 82 percent.

The survival rate can be higher or lower depending on the specific circumstances, particularly the risk grouping of the tumor.

• The five-year survival rate for low-risk neuroblastoma is over 95 percent.
• The five-year survival rate for intermediate-risk neuroblastoma is between 90 and 95 percent.
• The five-year survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma is about 50 percent.

What is neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that develops in nerve cells, specifically in nerve cell formations called neuroblasts. It usually occurs in the adrenal glands above the kidneys, but can also develop in other parts of the body such as the neck and chest.

It accounts for less than 6 percent of all pediatric cancers and is most commonly diagnosed in children under 5 years old.

Causes and risk factors for neuroblastoma

The exact cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the development of nerve cells in the body.

Neuroblasts are immature nerve cells that are present in developing fetuses and can be found in the adrenal gland, neck, chest, and other areas. In most cases, neuroblasts mature into normal nerve cells. However, in some cases, they continue to grow and divide, leading to the formation of neuroblastoma.

There are no known ways to prevent neuroblastoma, and it is unclear why some people develop the disease while others do not.

Factors that may increase the risk of developing neuroblastoma include:

• Age: Neuroblastoma is most commonly diagnosed in children under 5 years old.
• Family history: Children with a family history of neuroblastoma may have an increased risk of developing the disease.
• Genetic diseases: Certain genetic abnormalities may increase the risk of neuroblastoma.
• Gender: Boys are slightly more likely to develop neuroblastoma than girls.

It is important to note that having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean a child will develop neuroblastoma. Most children with these risk factors do not develop the disease.

Symptoms of neuroblastoma

Symptoms of neuroblastoma can vary and may include:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• A lump in the neck, chest, or abdomen
• Bone pain
• Unusual reflexes
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Persistent cough

Staging for neuroblastoma

There are several different staging systems for neuroblastoma, but one commonly used system is the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS).

The INSS divides neuroblastoma into four stages:

1. Stage I:
2. The tumor is localized on one side of the body.
3. Cancer can be completely removed with surgery.
4. Lymph nodes near the tumor may be unaffected, although nodes within the tumor may contain cancer cells.
5. Stage II:
6. Stage IIA:
7. Cancer is confined to the area of origin.
8. The visible tumor cannot be completely removed by surgery.
9. Nearby lymph nodes may be cancer-free, although nodes within the tumor may contain cancer cells.
10. Stage IIB:
11. Cancer is confined to one side of the body.
12. Surgery may or may not completely remove it.
13. Neuroblastoma cells have been found in nearby lymph nodes outside the tumor, but cancer has not spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the body or elsewhere.
14. Stage III: Cancer has not spread to distant organs and one of the following applies:
15. Surgery cannot completely remove the cancer because it has crossed the midline and spread to the opposite side of the body. It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
16. Cancer has returned to the site of origin and spread to one side of the body. It has also spread to relatively close lymph nodes on the opposite side of the body.
17. Cancer is in the center of the body and has spread to both sides, either directly or by spreading to nearby lymph nodes.
18. Stage IV: The tumor has spread to distant lymph nodes and other parts of the body such as bones, liver, skin, and bone marrow. It cannot be completely removed by surgery.
19. Stage 4S (special neuroblastoma):
20. The affected child is younger than one year old.
21. Cancer has spread to one side of the body and may spread to lymph nodes on that side, but not the other side.
22. Cancer has also spread to the liver, skin, and bone marrow.
23. About 10 percent of bone marrow cells are cancer cells, and imaging tests such as the meta-iodobenzylguanidine scan do not detect cancer in the bone marrow.

Neuroblastoma stages can change over time as the cancer grows or spreads. Regular follow-up care and monitoring are important to track the progress of the disease and adjust treatment as needed.

Diagnosis of neuroblastoma

Healthcare providers will examine the child for abnormalities such as masses or swelling and signs of nerve damage.

The following tests may be used to diagnose neuroblastoma:

• Imaging tests: X-ray, CT scan, MRI, meta-iodobenzylguanidine scan, or positron emission tomography scans create images of the body’s internal parts to detect potential abnormalities.
• Biopsy: A small tissue sample is removed from the affected area and examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis of neuroblastoma.
• Laboratory tests: Blood and urine tests check for certain substances produced by neuroblastoma cells.

Diagnosing neuroblastoma can be challenging because its symptoms can resemble those of other conditions.

Treatment options for neuroblastoma

Treatment for neuroblastoma may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these approaches. The specific treatment plan depends on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the child’s age and overall health.

• Surgery:

• The primary treatment for neuroblastoma.
• The goal is to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible.
• Surgery may be used to remove the tumor, perform debulking surgery (removing part of the tumor), remove lymph nodes containing cancer cells, or remove affected organs such as the adrenal gland.

Discuss all treatment options with a healthcare provider to understand the chosen course of treatment.