What are the symptoms?
Often the patient
stays without symptoms in early stages, however later presentation
depends mainly on the location of the tumour. In the abdomen, a
tumour mass may cause a swollen belly or constipation or even
chronic diarrhoea. In the chest a tumour may cause breathing
problems. By pressing on the spinal cord a tumour may cause
weakness and thus an inability to stand, crawl, or walk, or voiding
problems
How to find tumours?
The tumours produce
substances that can be found in the blood (like neurone specific
enolase) or in the urine (catecholamine). Different imaging methods
can also be very helpful.
Can these tumours be treated?
Yes, however
the therapy of neural crest derived tumours varies acording to
their type, grade and location.
Surgery often is a choice and / or chemotherapy may be helpful. The
therapy usually will be specific for the patient.