Neuroblastoma, Sinja Novosel

Neuroblastoma

Sinja Novosel

Rationale for word chosen: Paediatric cancers have longterm consequences that affect the child from childhood through adolescence to adulthood through the rest of their life.Consequences and ramifications to be discussed in the assignment.

Academic Source:

This academic article provides further information on neuroblastoma. Zafar A, Wang W, Liu G, Wang X, Xian W, McKeon F, Foster J, Zhou J, Zhang R. Molecular targeting therapies for neuroblastoma: Progress and challenges. Med Res Rev. 2021 Mar;41(2):961-1021. doi: 10.1002/ med.21750. Epub 2020 Nov 6. Erratum in: Med Res Rev. 2022 Jan;42(1):641. PMID: 33155698; PMCID: PMC7906923.

Non-Academic Source:

This YouTube video with link attached provides a visual context for paediatric brain tumours and their consequences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYeKatolr8k

The focus of this keyword will be on neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a type of paediatric solid brain tumour(Chung et al,2021). It develops in children most commonly before the age of one(London et al, 2005).Although it can develop many years before adolescence is reached, it can also develop in older children into adolescence. However, no matter the age of the child

diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, the consequences of the tumour can be lifelong. Therefore, it is an important aspect of development leading to adolescence which must be considered. Note, a complication when considering spread of neuroblastoma is the very wide range of potential malignant growth and/or clinical presentation of symptoms(Maris, 2010).This wide range of tumour growth is a hallmark of the disease, making this type of cancer unique amongst other paediatric cancers. Upon initial diagnosis, neuroblastomas are biopsied to determine the specific stage of tumour growth(stage1 to 4)(Akeret et al,2022).Tumour classification is an important first step in devising appropriate treatment protocols. Note, different treatment protocols result in different longterm complications i.e. chemobrain versus infertility(Alexander et al,2021).These longterm complications can be difficult for adults to deal with when diagnosed with cancer, but how is such a young child able to grasp the enormity of this situation. Parents always want to protect their children from the “boogey man” in the closet, but how can you protect them from the devastating consequences of cancer.Cancer is the one great equalizer, no matter how much you want it to be you undergoing chemo instead of your daughter or son, you cannot take it on. Parents can only do their best to help their child as best as they can in very difficult times. Dealing with such difficult circumstances from such an early age greatly impacts how both the child, their sibling(s) and their parents react after.For many ch ildren they are fighting so hard just to live, let alone thinking about getting to be a teenager. Having gone through such a hellish situation, how would you respond to normal adolescent trials and tribulations such as first loves or the sex talk. However, this is the reality for many parents of children who have undergone childhood cancer. Note, the assumption is that the children have lived long enough to become a teenager which is not always the case. The trauma and grief associated with this case, also affects the siblings of the deceased child, not just through adolescence but throughout the rest of their lives. Just as there are different tumour stages, there are also different treatment protocol options available(Chung et al,2021).Patient outcome has greatly improved with advances in oncology research. Some examples of potential therapies include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell based therapies and many others(Chung et al,2021). Each though comes with its own benefits and consequences, all though have the ultimate goal of saving the child’s life. However, treatment does not always mean that the child will survive to adolescence. It is simply a hope for a better future.

Once diagnosed with cancer, there is always the risk for relapse(Tolbert & Matthew,2018).The fear of relapse will haunt both the cancer survivor and their family for the rest of their lives. This fear will continue onto into adolescence. This spectre will always be present and will forever impact how they see themselves and develop and grow.

Reference List:

Akeret, K., Vasella, F., Staartjes, V. E., Velz, J., Müller, T., Neidert, M. C., Weller, M., Regli, L., Serra, C., & Krayenbühl, N. (2022). Anatomical phenotyping and staging of brain tumours. Brain : a journal of neurology, 145(3), 1162–1176. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awab352

Alexander, J. F., Seua, A. V., Arroyo, L. D., Ray, P. R., Wangzhou, A., Heiβ- Lückemann, L., Schedlowski, M., Price, T. J., Kavelaars, A., & Heijnen, C. J. (2021). Nasal administration of mitochondria reverses chemotherapy- induced cognitive deficits. Theranostics, 11(7), 3109–3130. https://doi.org/ 10.7150/thno.53474 Chung C, Boterberg T, Lucas J, Panoff J, Valteau-Couanet D, Hero B, Bagatell R, Hill-Kayser CE. Neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 May;68 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):e28473. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28473. PMID: 33818884; PMCID: PMC8785544. London WB, Castleberry RP, Matthay KK, et al. Evidence for an age cutoff greater than 365 days for neuroblastoma risk group stratification in the Children’s Oncology Group. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:6459–65. Maris JM. Recent advances in neuroblastoma. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 10;362(23):2202-11. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra0804577. PMID: 20558371; PMCID: PMC3306838. Tolbert VP, Matthay KK. Neuroblastoma: clinical and biological approach to risk stratification and treatment. Cell Tissue Res. 2018 May; 372(2): 195-209. doi: 10.1007/s00441-018-2821-2. Epub 2018 Mar 23. PMID: 29572647; PMCID: PMC5918153.