Neuroblastoma (cont.)
Possible signs of neuroblastoma include bone pain and a lump in the abdomen,
neck, or chest.
The most common symptoms of neuroblastoma are caused by the tumor pressing on
nearby tissues as it grows or by cancer spreading to the bone. These and other
symptoms may be caused by neuroblastoma. Other conditions may cause the same
symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
- Lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest.
- Bulging eyes.
- Dark circles around the
eyes ("black eyes").
- Bone pain.
- Swollen stomach and trouble breathing in
infants.
- Painless, bluish lumps under the skin in infants.
- Weakness or paralysis
(loss of ability to move a body part).
Less common signs of neuroblastoma
include the following:
- Fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling tired.
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding).
- High blood pressure.
- Severe watery diarrhea.
- Jerky muscle movements.
- Uncontrolled eye movement.
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, or scrotum.
Tests that examine many different body tissues and fluids are used to detect (find) and diagnose
neuroblastoma.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
- Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of
health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else
that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses
and treatments will also be taken.
- Twenty-four-hour urine test: A test in which
urine is collected for 24 hours to measure the amounts of certain substances. An
unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of
disease in the organ or tissue that makes it. A higher than normal amount of the
substances homovanillic acid (HMA) and vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA) may be a
sign of neuroblastoma.
- Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood
sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the
blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than
normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue
that makes it. A higher than normal amount of the hormones dopamine and
norepinephrine may be a sign of neuroblastoma.
- Cytogenetic analysis: A test in
which cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow are viewed under a microscope to
look for certain changes in the chromosomes.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy:
The removal of a small piece of bone, bone marrow, and blood by inserting a
needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views both the bone and the
bone marrow samples under a microscope to look for signs of cancer. Biopsy: The
removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a
pathologist to check for signs of cancer.
- X-ray: An x-ray is a type of energy
beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas
inside the body.
- CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed
pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are
made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein
or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure
is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized
axial tomography.
- Neurological exam: A series of questions and tests to check
the brain, spinal cord, and nerve function. The exam checks a person's mental
status, coordination, and ability to walk normally, and how well the muscles,
senses, and reflexes work. This may also be called a neuro exam or a neurologic
exam.
- Ultrasound exam: A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound)
are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a
picture of body tissues called a sonogram.
- Immunohistochemistry study: A
procedure in which dyes or enzymes are added to a blood or bone marrow sample to
test for certain antigens (proteins that stimulate the body's immune response).
Next: What is the prognosis for neuroblastoma? »
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
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