J Korean Assoc Pediatr Surg.  2008 Jun;14(1):75-82.

Neuroblastoma

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. hsahn@snu.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma arises from the primitive neural crest cells, and is a common malignancy in childhood. The clinical features are characterized by biological heterogeneity. Neuronal degeneration and differentiation occur in some patients. However treatment in the high risk group accounting for approximately half, has not been satisfactory despite a multimodal approach. Therefore, effective treatment is determined by the risk group of prognostic factors, such as age at diagnosis, stage of disease, pathological finding and N-myc amplification. Neuroblastoma can be diagnosed prenatally, which suggests its origin during the normal embryogenesis. Recent knowledge of molecular biology, such as Trk genes, and the concept of cancer stem cells have given us some improved understanding on this disease. Currently, targeted therapies based on the molecular biology of neuroblastoma are under investigation and increasing survival rate and decreasing late complications could be appreciated.

Keyword

Neuroblastoma; Risk; Biology

MeSH Terms

Accounting
Biology
Embryonic Development
Female
Humans
Molecular Biology
Neoplastic Stem Cells
Neural Crest
Neuroblastoma
Neurons
Population Characteristics
Pregnancy
Survival Rate
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