Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical released by the nerves to stimulate cells. Sometimes, norepinephrine is recycled. Other times, it is broken down by enzymes and its products are excreted. Metanephrine is one of the products....
A type of cancer that forms from the sympathetic nervous system tissue, neuroblastomas affect children under the age of 5 most commonly. Part of the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system responds to stress. MedlinePlus, a...
According to the Mayo Clinic, neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that originates from nerve cells. Sometimes, this cancer can form in your adrenal gland (located above your kidneys), stomach, chest and pelvis. Typically, neuroblastoma affects...
The brain is a complex system of cells, which work together to transmit signals to the body. The brain is made up of cells called neurons, which signal to one another, as well as other cells that support the neurons. Brain diseases in children can...
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 650 new diagnoses of neuroblastoma are made each year in the United States. This is the most common cancer in children under a year old, and makes up 7 percent of all childhood cancers....
A neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that affects the nerve cells within the body. This rare form of cancer is diagnosed in approximately 650 patients each year, of which, 90 percent are under the age of 5, according to health officials with the...
Even though fetal tumors are considered very rare, neuroblastoma is the most common solid neoplasm that strikes unborn babies. Your doctor will be looking for anything out of the ordinary during routine ultrasounds and will order additional tests...
Some diseases are found more often in men than in women, while others seem to attack women in higher numbers than men. Some diseases may mainly affect a specific race or ethnic group. There are also diseases primarily seen in specific age groups,...
Adrenal gland cancer is rare. Adrenal tumor growths are usually noncancerous adenomas, which do not cause any symptoms and rarely require treatment. There are three types of cancerous adrenal gland tumors including adrenocortical carcinoma,...
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that forms in nerve cells. According to the American Cancer Society, neuroblastoma affects immature cells or cells that are still developing and typically forms in the nerves of the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands sit on...
Vanillylmandelic acid, or VMA, is a substance found in the urine of a child who has a type of abdominal tumor called a neuroblastoma. The VMA test was once used to diagnose another type of tumor – pheochromocytoma – but is now a...
Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone manufactured by the body as a precursor to the synthesis of other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA. Because it is also involved in forming compounds that affect immune...
Unintentional weight loss in children can happen for a number of reasons. These reasons include thyroid problems, pain or sores in the mouth, illness, metabolism issues and rarely, cancer. Each of these conditions pose problems with weight loss in...
The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. These glands produce a variety of hormones that can affect tissues throughout the body. Adrenal tumors can be cancerous or benign; both kinds of adrenal tumors can secrete hormones, disrupting...
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer found most commonly in young children to babies that develops on the nerve cells in certain parts of the body and the sympathetic nervous system. Watch this video for more information on this condition and how to...
