Neuroblastoma at the National Cancer Institute (NIH)
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that arises in immature nerve cells and affects mostly infants and children. Malignant cells form in nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck chest or spinal cord. Possible signs of neuroblastoma include bone pain and a lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest. Other symptoms include: bulging eyes; dark circles around the eyes; painless, bluish lumps under the skin in infants; and weakness or paralysis. A definitive diagnosis is made by a biopsy of an abnormal area. These areas are noted by physical exam or imaging studies such as X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. More at the National Cancer Institute (NIH).
Neuroblastoma at MD Anderson Cancer Center
Neuroblastoma is a tumor that develops from the nerve cells. It is the most common form of infant cancer, usually occurring in children under the age of five, and the fourth most common type of cancer in children. About two-thirds of all neuroblastomas start in the abdomen, developing in the nerve tissue of the adrenal glands. They also occur in the neck, chest or spinal cord. Sometimes the tumor begins forming before birth, and in rare cases a prenatal diagnosis can be made using ultrasound. Infants with neuroblastoma under one year of age have a better prognosis than older children, regardless of the extent of the disease. Some neuroblastomas disappear in infants without any treatment at all. Watchful waiting may be an option for some infants meeting certain diagnostic criteria. Read more at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Neuroblastoma at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system––a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Each year there are about 700 new cases in the United States. It is usually found in young children, and is the most common cancer among infants. These solid tumors––which take the form of a lump or mass––may begin in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or, most commonly, in the adrenal gland. They may also spread to other areas of the body, including bone and bone marrow. The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, but most physicians believe that it is an accidental growth that occurs during normal development of the sympathetic nervous system. Treatment for neuroblastoma differs depending on many factors, particularly the stage of the disease and the age of the patient. Read more at Sloan-Kettering cancer Center.
Neuroblastoma at the American Cancer Society
Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that starts in certain types of 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). This type of cancer occurs in infants and young children. It is rarely found in children older than 10 years. More at the American Cancer Society.
Resource Survival Handbook
This handbook has accumulated a resource of information of facts about neuroblastoma and related treatments, national and local resources available to families, patient history and treatment forms, health claim forms, pamphlets, etc. View the handbook prepared by the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society.
Neuroblastoma Screening
Patient information regarding neuroblastoma screening prepared by the National Cancer Institute (NIH)
Video: Neuroblastoma Bone (and Bone Marrow) Metastases
View a one hour video presented by the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, which describes the treatment for neuroblastomas that have been categorized as intermediate risk.
Video: Neuroblastoma
Jeannie Yang, MD, speaks on "Neuroblastoma" at the Health Sciences Learning Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Long term follow-up of survivors of childhood cancer
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS: Note from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC): In addition to these evidence-based recommendations, the guideline development group also identifies points of best clinical practice in the full-text guideline document. The grades of recommendations (A-D) and levels of evidence (1++, 1+, 1-, 2++, 2+, 2-, 3, 4) are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field. Full text available free through the National Guideline Clearinghouse.
Abstract: Hyperthermia-induced targeting of thermosensitive gene carriers to tumors
Locoregional hyperthermia (HT) can be used for site-directed activation of macromolecular drug delivery systems. We have developed a gene delivery system based on thermosensitive block copolymers (TSCs) with a phase transition temperature of 42 degrees C. Full text of this abstract is available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Protective Effects of Acetyl-L: -Carnitine on Cisplatin Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Neuroblastoma
BACKGROUND: The response of mesothelial cells to surgical trauma and bacterial contamination is poorly defined. We have recently shown that CO(2) pneumoperitoneum increases systemic metastasis of neuroblastoma cells in a murine model. Thus, we hypothesized that CO(2) alters the morphology and function of mesothelial cells and facilitates transmesothelial tumor cell migration. Full text of this abstract is available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Carbon dioxide modifies the morphology and function of mesothelial cells and facilitates transepithelial neuroblastoma cell migration
BACKGROUND: The response of mesothelial cells to surgical trauma and bacterial contamination is poorly defined. We have recently shown that CO(2) pneumoperitoneum increases systemic metastasis of neuroblastoma cells in a murine model. Thus, we hypothesized that CO(2) alters the morphology and function of mesothelial cells and facilitates transmesothelial tumor cell migration. Full text of this abstract is available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Cytotoxic and anticarcinogenic activity of the ent-kaurene diterpenoid, melissoidesin, from Isodon wightii (Bentham) H. Hara
Isodon wightii is a common plant found in the Western Ghats of South India. The ent-kaurene diterpenoid melissoidesin, isolated from the leaves of I. wightii, showed significant cytotoxicity against lung cancer and neuroblastoma cell lines with IC(50) values of 6 and 4.2 microg mL(-1), respectively. The prevention of deoxyribose degradation activity of melissoidesin was significant and the IC(50) value was calculated to be 163.1 microg mL(-1). The anticarcinogenic activity of melissoidesin by comet assay showed significant DNA damage protecting activity in a dose-dependent manner. Full text of this abstract is available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Neuroblastoma: biology and staging
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumor of childhood, with about 650 new cases each year in the United States. The clinical course of neuroblastoma is variable and depends on age at diagnosis, staging, histology, and specific genetic abnormalities, such as MYCN oncogene amplification or aberrations of chromosome 1p or 11q. Full text of this abstract is available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Interferon-{gamma}-Dependent Infiltration of Human T Cells into Neuroblastoma Tumors In Vivo
PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of interferon-gamma-mediated upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I expression on tumor-specific T-cell cytotoxicity and T-cell trafficking into neuroblastoma tumors in vivo. Full text of this abstract is available free through PubMed.
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Neuroblastoma Cells
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Source: New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT)
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Children with Neuroblastoma: Tumor Location
Source: American Pediatric Surgery Association
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