It arises from the cells of the sympathetic nerves and in the adrenal glands. These nerves are spread over all parts of the body. The cancer occurs more commonly in the abdomen. The cancer spreads rapidly in the body through the blood vessels as well as lymphatic channels. The cancer cells produce a substance called catecholamine which raises the blood pressure.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This is a common cancer of childhood, forming 10 per cent of all cancers occurring in this age group.<\/p>\n
Symptoms<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Lump in the abdomen.
\n\u00b7 Weight loss.
\n\u00b7 Diminished appetite.
\n\u00b7 Swelling in the neck.
\n\u00b7 Protrusion of the eyeball, due to the occurrence of the cancer behind the eyeball.<\/p>\n
Diagnosis<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Routine: Blood: HB, RBC, TLC, DLC may be normal.
\n\u00b7 ESR is raised
\n\u00b7 Serum catecolamines are increased.
\n\u00b7 Special: Biopsy examination from the involved part confirms the diagnosis.
\n\u00b7 Additional: X-rays of the chest, abdomen, suspected bones arc taken to look for the spread of the cancer.<\/p>\n
Treatment<\/p>\n
Surgery: If the cancer is localized and can be taken out completely, then this is the method of choice and cure rate is over 90 per cent.<\/p>\n
If the cancer has spread, partial removal of the cancer would not help much.<\/p>\n
Radiation: Radiation is given over the cancer which cannot be removed through surgery. The cancer is very amenable to radiation and so only low dosages are given.<\/p>\n
Chemotherapy: If the cancer has spread, besides radiation, a combined drug chemotherapy with a group of drugs is given, to improve the results. It docs not, however, bring about a cure<\/p>\n
Prognosis<\/p>\n
The younger the age, say 1 to 2 years, the better the chances of cure.<\/p>\n
Early Detection<\/p>\n
Signs & Symptoms<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Lump in the abdomen, or protrusion of an eyeball in a child.
\n\u00b7 Diminished appetite.
\n\u00b7 Loss of weight.<\/p>\n
Investigations<\/p>\n
Biopsy examination of the involved part.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"