Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0027819 (neuroblastoma)
 27,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Children with stage IV neuroblastoma (NBIV) are often malnourished at time of diagnosis, observed as high as 50%. The emphasis of this study was to determine whether an increased resting energy expenditure (REE) is a causative factor. Our hypothesis was that children diagnosed with NBIV have an increased REE, which normalizes with cancer treatment. Changes in nutritional status from time of diagnosis in response to nutritional support were examined. REE and nutritional evaluation were obtained three times: at diagnosis before starting treatment, where tumor burden is expected to be highest; after two courses of chemotherapy, where some response to treatment is expected; and after surgical excision of the primary tumor, where there was presumably minimal residual disease. Ten subjects completed the study. Results showed that REE was not increased, and there was no significant difference between phases (p = 0.29). Fifty percent of our subjects were malnourished at diagnosis. Because REE is not increased in NBIV, it is concluded that malnutrition seen in NBIV is not due to increased energy needs, but is likely due to decreased intake because of the intra-abdominal mass and malignant malaise.
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PMID:Resting energy expenditure in children newly diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. 1828 73

Although cancer in children is rare, it is the second most common cause of childhood mortality in developed countries. It often presents with nonspecific symptoms similar to those of benign conditions, leading to delays in the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment. Primary care physicians should have a raised index of suspicion and explore the possibility of cancer in children who have worrisome or persisting signs and symptoms. Red flag signs for leukemia or lymphoma include unexplained and protracted pallor, malaise, fever, anorexia, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, hemorrhagic diathesis, and hepatosplenomegaly. New onset or persistent morning headaches associated with vomiting, neurologic symptoms, or back pain should raise concern for tumors of the central nervous system. Palpable masses in the abdomen or soft tissues, and persistent bone pain that awakens the child are red flags for abdominal, soft tissue, and bone tumors. Leukokoria is a red flag for retinoblastoma. Endocrine symptoms such as growth arrest, diabetes insipidus, and precocious or delayed puberty may be signs of endocranial or germ cell tumors. Paraneoplastic manifestations such as opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, rheumatic symptoms, or hypertension are rare and may be related to neuroblastoma, leukemia, or Wilms tumor, respectively. Increased suspicion is also warranted for conditions associated with a higher risk of childhood cancer, including immunodeficiency syndromes and previous malignancies, as well as with certain genetic conditions and familial cancer syndromes such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, hemihypertrophy, neurofibromatosis, and retinoblastoma.
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PMID:Signs and symptoms of childhood cancer: a guide for early recognition. 2393 97