Introduction

Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children. It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby's development in the womb. Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in one of the adrenal glands situated above the kidneys, or in the nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord in the neck, chest,tummy or pelvis. It can spread to other organs such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin. It affects around 100 children each year in the UK and is most common in children under the age of five. The cause is unknown. There are very rare cases where children in the same family are affected, but generally neuroblastoma doesn't run in families. This page covers: Symptoms Tests and diagnosis Stages Treatment and outlook Support groups and charities