Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body. Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys. Neuroblastoma is a disease in which cancer cells form in nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal cord. Neuroblastoma is the third most common childhood cancer after leukemia’s and cancer of the central nervous system. Neuroblastoma is a cancer often found in the small glands on top of the kidneys (adrenal glands). It can develop in the stomach, chest, neck, pelvis and bones. Children aged five or younger are most commonly affected. Symptoms may include fatigue, loss of appetite and fever. There may be a lump or compression of tissues in the affected area. Neuroblastoma usually requires surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
