Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood and the most common cancer in infants under one year old. Although the name may sound technical and remote, it affects real families in Spain and around the world every year. At Asociación Adán González Muñoz we believe that understanding this disease is the first step towards fighting it.

What exactly is neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that originates in immature nerve cells (neuroblasts) of the sympathetic nervous system. These cells, normally present during embryonic development, in some children fail to mature as they should and begin to divide uncontrollably.

The tumour can appear anywhere there is sympathetic nerve tissue, but the most common site is the adrenal gland (above the kidney). It can also develop along the spine, in the neck, chest or abdomen.

Key facts about neuroblastoma in Spain

  • It accounts for roughly 8–10% of all childhood cancers
  • Around 80–100 new cases are diagnosed each year in Spain, according to the National Registry of Childhood Tumours (RNTI-SEHOP)
  • The average age at diagnosis is 17 months
  • 65% of cases are diagnosed before age 5
  • In high-risk forms, five-year survival is 40–50%, though research is improving these figures

What are the symptoms of neuroblastoma?

Symptoms vary widely depending on where the tumour is located and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The most common include:

  • Swollen abdomen or palpable abdominal mass
  • Bone or back pain
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Loss of appetite and weight
  • Unexplained fever
  • Drooping eyelids or bruising around the eyes (sign of orbital metastasis)
  • In some cases: diarrhoea, high blood pressure or excessive sweating

The challenge with neuroblastoma is that in many cases it produces no clear symptoms in its early stages, making early detection difficult.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosing neuroblastoma requires a combination of tests:

  1. Urine analysis: elevated catecholamine levels (VMA and HVA) point towards a diagnosis
  2. Abdominal ultrasound: the first imaging study
  3. CT or MRI scan: to determine the size and extent of the tumour
  4. MIBG scintigraphy: specific to neuroblastoma, detects metastases
  5. Biopsy: confirms the histological diagnosis
  6. Bone marrow aspirate: to detect infiltration in advanced stages

How is neuroblastoma treated?

Treatment depends on the risk group (low, intermediate or high) to which the tumour belongs, determined by the child’s age, stage and biological characteristics of the tumour.

Low and intermediate risk

  • Surgery to remove the tumour
  • In some low-risk cases: observation without treatment (the tumour may disappear on its own)
  • Chemotherapy if surgery is not sufficient

High risk (the most common at diagnosis)

Treatment is intensive and combines several phases:

  1. Induction chemotherapy: to shrink the tumour before surgery
  2. Surgery: removal of the residual tumour
  3. Autologous stem-cell transplant: with high-dose chemotherapy
  4. Radiotherapy: targeting the primary tumour and metastatic sites
  5. Immunotherapy with dinutuximab: treatment with monoclonal antibodies
  6. Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid): maintenance therapy

The crucial role of research

High-risk neuroblastoma remains one of the great challenges of paediatric oncology. The most promising current lines of research include:

  • CAR-T immunotherapy: the patient’s own cells genetically modified to attack the tumour
  • ALK inhibitors: drugs targeting specific mutations of the ALK gene
  • Therapeutic MIBG: using radioiodine bound to MIBG to destroy tumour cells
  • Tumour vaccines: stimulating the immune system to fight neuroblastoma

At Asociación Adán González Muñoz, the funds we raise through our charity tournaments go directly to financing this type of research at leading national hospitals such as Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona.

How can I help?

If you want to help improve outcomes for children with neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers, you can:

  • Donate to our association — remember that you can deduct up to 80% of the first €150 on your Spanish tax return
  • Take part in our charity tournaments
  • Share this article so more families learn about this disease

Together we can accelerate research and give these children a better future.

Support us →

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s health, always consult their paediatrician or oncologist.

Frequently asked questions

What is neuroblastoma and who does it affect?

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood. It originates in immature nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system and is the most common cancer in infants under one year old.

What are the symptoms of neuroblastoma?

The most common symptoms include a swollen abdomen or palpable mass, bone pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained fever, and bruising around the eyes. In many cases it produces no clear symptoms in the early stages.

How many cases of neuroblastoma are diagnosed in Spain?

Between 80 and 100 new cases are diagnosed in Spain each year. The average age at diagnosis is 17 months, and 65% of cases are detected before age 5.

Can neuroblastoma be cured?

It depends on the risk group. In low-risk cases, the prognosis is very favourable. In high-risk neuroblastoma, five-year survival is 40–50%, although research is continuously improving these outcomes.

How can I help neuroblastoma research?

You can donate to Asociación Adán González Muñoz, take part in our charity tournaments, or help spread awareness about the disease. Remember that donations are tax-deductible up to 80% on the first €150 in Spain.