
What is Neuroblastoma? In the year 2007, close to 12,500 children will be diagnosed and approximately 2300 will die of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children between the ages of 1 and 19. Neuroblastoma accounts for 97% of the cancers of the Sympathetic Nervous System, which comprises one of the twelve major categories of the International classification of Childhood Cancers (ICCC). Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in children second only to brain tumors and the most common cancer found in infants. The incidence rate for all sympathetic nervous system cancers was 9.5 per million children. Neuroblastoma accounts for 14% of all cancers in children younger than five years of age. Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor cancer that begins in the nerve tissue of the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis but usually originates in the abdomen in the tissue of the adrenal gland. Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed, have disease that has already metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. The average age at diagnosis is two years old. Prognosis for neuroblastoma is dependent on age, stage of disease, and the molecular biological and cytogenetic characteristics of the tumor. There is very little known about why neuroblastoma occurs, or about what factors increase the risk for occurrence. Currently, there is no known cure. Great strides have been made in the overall survival rate of children with many types of cancer, however, this has not been the cause of neuroblastoma. These successes seen in other cancers have been the direct result of the advances and improvements made in treatment of childhood cancers due to research and funding. Much more still needs to be done and especially for children with neuroblastoma. Continued progress on increasing the survival rate for all childhood cancers, reducing the serious side effects of cancer treatment, improving the quality of life during treatment, understanding the importance of genetics and its influences with environment exposures, are all part of the continuing efforts of many dedicated people, institutions and organizations, like Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF).

What is Neuroblastoma?

In the year 2007, close to 12,500 children will be diagnosed and approximately 2300 will die of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children between the ages of 1 and 19.

Neuroblastoma accounts for 97% of the cancers of the Sympathetic Nervous System, which comprises one of the twelve major categories of the International classification of Childhood Cancers (ICCC). Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in children second only to brain tumors and the most common cancer found in infants. The incidence rate for all sympathetic nervous system cancers was 9.5 per million children. Neuroblastoma accounts for 14% of all cancers in children younger than five years of age.

Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor cancer that begins in the nerve tissue of the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis but usually originates in the abdomen in the tissue of the adrenal gland.

Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed, have disease that has already metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. The average age at diagnosis is two years old.

Prognosis for neuroblastoma is dependent on age, stage of disease, and the molecular biological and cytogenetic characteristics of the tumor. There is very little known about why neuroblastoma occurs, or about what factors increase the risk for occurrence. Currently, there is no known cure.

Great strides have been made in the overall survival rate of children with many types of cancer, however, this has not been the cause of neuroblastoma. These successes seen in other cancers have been the direct result of the advances and improvements made in treatment of childhood cancers due to research and funding. Much more still needs to be done and especially for children with neuroblastoma.

Continued progress on increasing the survival rate for all childhood cancers, reducing the serious side effects of cancer treatment, improving the quality of life during treatment, understanding the importance of genetics and its influences with environment exposures, are all part of the continuing efforts of many dedicated people, institutions and organizations, like Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF).