Stages of neuroblastoma in children

Neuroblastoma is a pathology found in children under 5 years of age. Like other cancers, neuroblastoma progresses through different stages. Understanding the stages of disease development will help patients with neuroblastoma receive proper treatment and recover early.

Neuroblastoma is a tumor that forms and grows inside nerve cells that are not part of the brain of a child (including infants as well as young children).
Common locations of tumors are abdominal cavity, adrenal gland. In addition, the tumor can also be found in other places in the body, such as the neck, chest, spinal cord, and pelvis.
Neuroblastoma can be found in young children (usually less than 5 years old) while still in the fetus, through fetal ultrasound during antenatal care. However, a tumor is usually only discovered when it has spread and metastasized to other areas (eg, lymph nodes).

Similar to other diseases in general and cancer in particular, understanding each stage and progression of the disease will help doctors plan and treat neuroblastoma suitable for each stage. to save the patient's life. Below are the stages of childhood neuroblastoma classified by INSS and INRGSS.
2.1 The stages of neuroblastoma in children according to INSS According to the INSS, the specific stages of the disease are as follows:
Stage 1: At this stage, surgical methods can help with resection and treatment. radically tumor. During surgery, lymph nodes removed with the tumor may or may not contain cancer cells, whereas lymph nodes near the tumor may or may not contain cancer cells. Stage 2A: At this stage, surgery cannot remove the neuroblastoma completely. The tumor has not spread to other areas, and cancer cells do not exist in nearby lymph nodes. Stage 2B: At this stage, surgery can, but cannot, completely remove the tumor. The tumor has not spread to other areas, however, cancer cells have appeared in nearby lymph nodes. Stage 3: At this stage, surgery cannot remove the neuroblastoma completely. The tumor has spread to other areas near the tumor and to nearby lymph nodes, however, the tumor has not spread to other organs in the body. Stage 4: At this stage, from the original location, the tumor has spread further to the lymph nodes in other organs such as skin, bone and bone marrow, and liver. Stage 4S: At this stage, the tumor exists at the primary site and has only metastasized to other organs including the skin, bone marrow or liver (common in infants under 1 year of age). Rarely, the tumor has metastasized to the bone marrow.

2.2 The stages of neuroblastoma in children according to INRGSS According to INRGSS, the stages of the disease are based on the results of tumor images taken before surgery, specifically as follows:
Stage L1: In At this stage, when CT or MRI scans will show that the tumor has not metastasized. These risk factors also do not appear on the image results. Stage L2: At this stage, a CT or MRI scan will show that the tumor has not spread. However, these risk factors were seen on imaging results. Stage M: At this stage, the neuroblastoma tumor has spread to other areas. MS stage: At this stage, the tumor has metastasized but only to organs such as the skin, bone marrow, or liver (in children under 18 months of age).

To date, the cause of neuroblastoma is still unknown. However, like other cancers, neuroblastoma is not contagious.
Based on each stage of neuroblastoma in children , doctors recommend an appropriate treatment plan and method.

If you have unusual symptoms, you should be examined and consulted with a specialist.

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