Learn About Ganglioneuroblastoma
View Main Condition: Neuroblastoma
Ganglioneuroblastoma is an intermediate tumor that arises from nerve tissues. An intermediate tumor is one that is between benign (slow-growing and unlikely to spread) and malignant (fast-growing, aggressive, and likely to spread).
Ganglioneuroblastoma mostly occurs in children ages 2 to 4 years. The tumor affects boys and girls equally. It occurs rarely in adults. Tumors of the nervous system have different degrees of differentiation. This is based on how the tumor cells look under the microscope. It can predict whether or not they are likely to spread.
Benign tumors are less likely to spread. Malignant tumors are aggressive, grow quickly, and often spread. A ganglioneuroma is less malignant in nature. A neuroblastoma (occurring in children over 1 year old) is usually malignant.
A ganglioneuroblastoma may be only in one area or it may be widespread, but it is usually less aggressive than a neuroblastoma. The cause is unknown.
Most commonly, a lump can be felt in the abdomen with tenderness.
This tumor may also occur at other sites, including:
- Chest cavity
- Neck
- Legs
Depending on the type of tumor, treatment can involve surgery, and possibly chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Because these tumors are rare, they should be treated in a specialized center by experts who have experience with them.
Memorial Solid Tumor Group
Mark Dickson is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in New York, New York. Dr. Dickson and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglioneuroblastoma. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Fibrosarcoma, and Endoscopy.
Duke Health Integrated Practice Inc
Richard Riedel is an Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Riedel and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglioneuroblastoma. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, Desmoid Tumor, and Angiosarcoma. Dr. Riedel is currently accepting new patients.
Temple Faculty Practice Plan Inc
Margaret Von-Mehren is an Oncologist and a Transplant Surgeon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Von-Mehren and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglioneuroblastoma. Her top areas of expertise are Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Mesenchymoma, and Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma.
More information and support for children with ganglioneuroblastoma and their families can be found at:
- Children's Oncology Group -- www.childrensoncologygroup.org
- The Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society -- neuroblastomachildrenscancersociety.org/
The outlook depends on how far the tumor has spread, and whether some areas of the tumor contain more aggressive cancer cells.
Complications that may result include:
- Complications of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
- Spread of the tumor into surrounding areas
Contact your provider if you feel a lump or growth on your child's body. Make sure children receive routine examinations as part of their well-child care.
Summary: This phase III trial tests how well the addition of dinutuximab to Induction chemotherapy along with standard of care surgical resection of the primary tumor, radiation, stem cell transplantation, and immunotherapy works for treating children with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma. Dinutuximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to a molecule called GD2, which is found on the surface of neur...
Summary: Surgery plays significant role in treatment of neurogenic tumors, both for benign ganglioneuroma and for high risk neuroblastoma. The world literature has accumulated large experience in laparoscopic surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma. The presence of IDRF (image-defined risk factors) and tumor size (\>4-7 cm) are considered as common contraindications for minimally invasive surgery in neuroblast...
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Hernandez Tejada FN, Harrison DJ. Neuroblastoma. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 547.
Myers JL. Mediastinum. In: Goldblum JR, Lamps LW, McKenney JK, Myers JL, eds. Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 12.