Neuroblastoma pathophysiology

, Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jack Khouri

Overview
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system -- a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Its solid tumors, which take the form of a lump or mass, commonly begin in one of the adrenal glands, though they can also develop in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.

The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, though most physicians believe that it is an accidental cell growth that occurs during normal development of the adrenal glands.

Neuroblastoma is one of the rare human malignancies known to demonstrate spontaneous regression from an undifferentiated state to a completely benign cellular appearance.


 * VIDEO - Neuroblastoma, Jeannie Yang, MD, gives an overview at the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (2007)

Etiology
The etiology of neuroblastoma is not well understood. Several risk factors have been proposed and are the subject of ongoing research. Due to characteristic early onset many studies have focussed on parental factors around conception and during gestation. Factors investigated have included occupation (i.e. exposure to chemicals in specific industries), smoking, alcohol consumption, use of medicinal drugs during pregnancy and birth factors, however results have been inconsistent.

Other studies have examined possible links with atopy and exposure to infection early in life, use of hormones and fertility drugs, and maternal use of hair dye.