Learn About Ganglioneuroma
Ganglioneuroma is a tumor of the autonomic nervous system.
Ganglioneuromas are rare tumors that most often start in autonomic nerve cells. Autonomic nerves manage body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, bowel and bladder emptying, and digestion. The tumors are usually noncancerous (benign).
Ganglioneuromas usually occur in people over 10 years of age. They grow slowly, and may release certain chemicals or hormones.
There are no known risk factors. However, the tumors may be associated with some genetic problems, such as neurofibromatosis type 1.
A ganglioneuroma usually causes no symptoms. The tumor is only discovered when a person is examined or treated for another condition.
Symptoms depend on the location of the tumor and the type of chemicals it releases.
If the tumor is in the chest area (mediastinum), symptoms may include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Chest pain
- Compression of the windpipe (trachea)
If the tumor is lower down in the abdomen in the area called the retroperitoneal space, symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
If the tumor is near the spinal cord, it may cause:
- Compression of the spinal cord, which leads to pain and loss of strength or feeling in the legs, arms, or both
- Spine deformity
These tumors may produce certain hormones, which can cause the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Enlarged clitoris (women)
- High blood pressure
- Increased body hair
- Sweating
Treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor (if it is causing symptoms).
University Of Bristol
Pramila Ramani is in Bristol, United Kingdom. Ramani is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglioneuroma. They are also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Ganglioneuroma, Neuroblastoma, Embryonal Tumor with Multilayered Rosettes, and Lactate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Physicians
Mark Dickson is a Hematologist Oncology doctor in New York, New York. Dr. Dickson has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as a Distinguished doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglioneuroma. He is also highly rated in 35 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, and Epithelioid Sarcoma. He is licensed to treat patients in New York. Dr. Dickson is currently accepting new patients.
NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Gary Schwartz is an Oncologist in New York, New York. Dr. Schwartz has been practicing medicine for over 39 years and is rated as a Distinguished doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglioneuroma. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Leiomyosarcoma, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, and Epithelioid Sarcoma. He is licensed to treat patients in New York. Dr. Schwartz is currently accepting new patients.
Most ganglioneuromas are noncancerous. The expected outcome is usually good.
A ganglioneuroma may become cancerous and spread to other areas. It may also come back after it is removed.
If the tumor has been present for a long time and has pressed on the spinal cord or caused other symptoms, surgery to remove the tumor may not reverse the damage. Compression of the spinal cord may result in loss of movement (paralysis), especially if the cause is not detected promptly.
Surgery to remove the tumor may also lead to complications in some cases. In rare cases, problems due to compression may occur even after the tumor is removed.
Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms that may be caused by this type of tumor.
Published Date : August 02, 2020
Published By : Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW. Benign tumors of peripheral nerves. In: Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW, eds. Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 26.
Kaidar-Person O, Zagar T, Haithcock BE, Weiss J. Diseases of the pleura and mediastinum. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 70.