Neuroblastoma Appeal

Neuroblastoma is a tumour arising from particular nerve cells which run in a chain-like fashion up the back of the child's abdomen and chest and into the skull following the line of the spinal cord (neuro = nerve, blastoma = collection of tumour cells). The most common site for the tumour to grow is the abdomen: about 50% start in the adrenal gland above the kidney. Some tumours grow at the back of the chest and occasionally even higher up towards the neck.

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Much more rarely, the tumour may start in the brain itself. The site of the tumour may cause different symptoms at the time of diagnosis. For example, a tumour right at the back of the abdomen, which has grown to press on the spinal cord, may cause a variety of symptoms including an unsteady walk or difficulty in passing urine. A child who has a tumour in the chest may have an initial problem with a chest infection, cough or fluid in the lung, which may need treatment before the neuroblastoma itself is tackled.

We are urgently trying to raise £200,000 to fund research into neuroblastoma. To help, click on the Donate button below or go to our Just Giving page.