How to Deal With Ganglioneuroblastoma

Ganglioneuroblastoma is a rather common type of tumor that appears in nerve tissues of children, usually those under 10 years of age. While there’s nothing than can be done to prevent the appearance of the tumor itself, early detection and treatment can help rehabilitation and ensure a quick and proper recovery. Much progress has been made in the care of children with ganglioneuroblastoma and the prognosis is good if the tumor is treated aggressively.

Instructions

• 1

  Pay attention to any abnormal lumps or growths in your child’s body. Ganglioneuroblastoma causes no obvious symptoms, although very young children may experience watery diarrhea or skin lesions around the area of the tumor. There is usually no pain associated with the tumor, so don’t wait for your child to voice a complaint.

• 2

  Keep the odds in mind. Ganglioneuroblastoma is a rare tumor that occurs in less than 5 of every 1 million children. While this indicates a rather low probability that your child will develop the tumor, it also causes doctors to miss early signs because they consider the probability of the tumor too low to test for it.

• 3

  Ask for a CT scan or MRI to verify the presence of the tumor. All benign tumors, including ganglioneuroblastoma, tend to stay in a single spot and rarely spread, so these tests should identify the tumor and be able to pinpoint its location accurately. Depending on the location and age of your child, a doctor may recommend other tests as well, including blood tests or bone scans.

• 4

  Find an appropriate treatment center as soon as possible. Since ganglioneuroblastoma is rare, only certain experts are able to treat it properly. Children’s hospitals and cancer-treatment centers should be able to advise you on the best course of action, which usually includes surgery or radiation.