Neuroblastoma history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zahir Ali Shaikh, MD[2]Haytham Allaham, M.D. [3]

A detailed history of presenting symptoms, family history and other associated symptoms should be undertaken when evaluating a patient of neuroblastoma. General neuroblastoma symptoms include; fever, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Other symptoms depending upon the anatomical location of neuroblastoma include abdominal pain, distension and constipation (abdomen), shortness of breath, chronic cough & difficulty swallowing (posterior mediastinum), weakness, numbness, paralysis (retroperitoneum), visual defects, facial bruising (head & neck) and pallor, bone pain (bone marrow metastases).

• A detailed history of presenting symptoms (duration, onset, progression), a thorough family history and a review of other other associated symptoms should be undertaken when evaluating a patient of neuroblastoma. When obtaining the history focus on possible associated syndromes as well, such as:^[1][2]

• Neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease)
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• DiGeorge syndrome
• Hirschsprung disease
• Hutchinson syndrome
• Pepper syndrome

• General symptoms of neuroblastoma include:^[3][4]

• Fever
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

• However, the specific clinical presentation of neuroblastoma is determined by the exact anatomical location of the tumor such as:^[5][6][7]

• Abdominal neuroblastoma symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal distension
• Constipation

• Posterior mediastinum neuroblastoma symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing

• Retroperitoneal neuroblastoma symptoms:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Paralysis

• Head & neck neuroblastoma symptoms:

• Visual defects
• Facial bruising
• Facial swelling

• Metastatic neuroblastomas lesions located in the bone marrow symptoms:

• Pallor
• Bone pain

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