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Town: Aurora, IL Mom & Dad: Ralph & Lauren Strickland |
What is Neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that occurs in infants and young children under 5 years of age. It affects approximately 1 out of 100,000 children. The cause of Neuroblastoma is unknown. The cells of this cancer usually resemble very primitive developing nerve cells found in an embryo or fetus. (The term neuro indicates "nerves," while blastoma refers to a cancer that affects immature or developing cells). Neurons (nerve cells) are the main component of the brain, spinal cord and of the nerves that connect them to the rest of the body. These cells are essential for thinking, sensation, and movement. The sympathetic nervous system is a part of the autonomic nervous system, which includes nerve fibers that run alongside the spinal cord. Most neuroblastomas (about two thirds) start in the abdomen in the tissues of the adrenal glands, however some can form along the spinal cord.Want to Know More?
More information about this disease can be found at the following links:‣ www.merck.com
‣ www.nlm.nih.gov
‣ www.riverside-online.com