Wilms tumor, also called nephroblastoma, is the most common type of kidney cancer in children. It mostly affects boys and girls under age 6. It is rare in adults.
Neuroblastoma starts in immature nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system, and it can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. It often begins in the adrenal glands, but it can also start near the spinal cord in the chest or pelvis.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is loose, watery poop that comes often and may be painful when you go. You can also have cramping or spasms in your colon when you have diarrhea. It can be a sign of a serious infection and it can cause you to lose too much fluid (dehydration). You should see your healthcare provider right away if you have severe diarrhea.
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Diarrhoea is a common problem that can be caused by many things. It usually happens when your body tries to get rid of something that isn’t good for you, like bacteria or food poisoning. Diarrhea can last for a short time or for a long time. Short-term diarrhea is called acute diarrhea and it lasts 1 or 2 days. Long-term diarrhea is called chronic diarrhea and it lasts for several weeks.
The most common causes of diarrhea are viruses, bacteria, and parasites. You can also get it from drinking contaminated water or eating spoiled food. The virus that causes norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in kids and adults. Other common causes of diarrhea include enteric adenoviruses, rotavirus, and viral hepatitis.
You can also have diarrhea if you take certain medicines or have a digestive disease. For example, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause chronic diarrhea. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also cause it. Other diseases that can cause diarrhea are celiac disease, malabsorptive bowel syndrome, and microscopic colitis.
Vomiting
Sarah, who is now seven, was six when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. This is a rare cancer of nerve tissue that develops in infants and children and can occur in many parts of the body. It starts in the tissues that form the sympathetic nervous system, which helps control body functions like heart rate and blood pressure, digestion and levels of certain hormones. Most neuroblastomas begin in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney. They can also start in the nerve tissue alongside the spinal cord in the chest, belly (pelvis) or neck.
The symptoms of neuroblastoma vary, depending on where the tumor is located and if it secretes hormones. Some of the most common symptoms include abdominal pain, emesis, loss of appetite and fatigue. The tumor can also grow into the bones, which can cause bone pain and weakness in the legs and arms. Sometimes, it can spread to the lymph nodes, liver and skin around the eyes (orbits).
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If your child has these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They will ask about your child’s medical history and do a physical exam. They may also order blood and urine tests. These help doctors figure out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. If it has, they will do an imaging test to see if the tumors have grown and where.
Abdominal Pain
Most people have a stomachache at some point in their lives. But severe pain or a persistent stomach ache can be a sign of a serious condition that needs medical attention.
The abdomen extends from the chest to the groin, and contains the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and spleen. Discomfort in this area can be caused by inflammation, injury or irritation of these organs or their surrounding tissues. The onset, progression, migration, character, intensity and location of abdominal pain can be helpful in making the diagnosis.
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Pain that is sudden or has a rapid onset can be a symptom of inflammatory conditions like pancreatitis and appendicitis. Acute pain often comes with other symptoms such as vomiting or fever. Chronic pain, on the other hand, may last for several weeks or months.
Your doctor will take a thorough history of your abdominal pain, asking about its onset, duration and pattern. He or she will also want to know what makes it better or worse. For example, a bellyache that is accompanied by nausea or vomiting might indicate that you have food poisoning. If the pain is sharp and piercing, it could be a symptom of pancreatitis or appendicitis. On the other hand, a dull or constant bellyache could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Cramp-like pain is a symptom of hepatitis, gallstones and pancreatitis. It’s sometimes called colicky pain, because it comes and goes in waves.
Loss of Appetite
A loss of appetite may be due to the tumour pressing on nerves and blood vessels in the abdomen. It can also be a sign of other problems, such as bone pain or cancer spreading to the bones (metastasis).
Children often have general signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma, such as irritability, tiredness (fatigue), weight loss, a fever, or a lump or swelling in the stomach or abdomen. The specific signs and symptoms depend on where the tumor is located and how far it has spread.
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Neuroblastoma starts in early nerve cells called neuroblasts. These usually grow into working nerve cells, but in neuroblastoma they grow out of control and form a tumor. Neuroblastoma is usually found in the tissue of 1 or both adrenal glands (the triangular glands that sit above the kidneys). It can also start in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, or abdomen. Neuroblastoma can also spread through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lymph nodes, liver, and skin.
Various tests and investigations will be needed to confirm the diagnosis of neuroblastoma and find out how far it has spread. These might include a blood test, a bone marrow test, X-rays or CT or MRI scans, and a special nuclear medicine scan called an MIBG scan. Depending on the results of these tests, treatment may be started. This may include chemotherapy or surgery, or both.
