What are the symptoms of neuroblastoma? 

Neuroblastoma symptoms can vary widely and often depend on where the tumour is in the body and whether it has spread. Many symptoms are vague and can be mistaken for more common childhood illnesses, which can make diagnosis difficult. If you are worried about your child, speak to your GP; having these symptoms does not mean your child has neuroblastoma. 

Common symptoms 

• Lump or swelling in the tummy (abdomen): this is the most common symptom. The tummy may look swollen or feel hard, and your child may have pain or discomfort. 

• Lump in the neck: sometimes neuroblastoma appears as a lump in the neck. 

• Pain in bones or joints: especially if the cancer has spread. 

• Limp or difficulty walking 

• Tiredness or weakness 

• Loss of appetite or weight loss 

• Fever 

• Sweating 

• Bruising (sometimes around the eyes) 

• Constipation 

• Blue-coloured lumps under the skin 

• Other symptoms: depending on where the tumour is, symptoms can include breathlessness, difficulty swallowing, changes in urination or bowel habits, or weakness in the legs. 

Why symptoms can be hard to spot 

The symptoms of neuroblastoma are often similar to those of much more common childhood illnesses. This means it can sometimes take a while for a diagnosis to be made. In some cases, neuroblastoma is quite advanced by the time it is found.  This is not because parents or families have missed anything, it is because the disease is rare and difficult to diagnose when symptoms are common to other childhood illnesses. 

When to seek medical advice 

If your child has any of these symptoms and you are concerned, see your GP. Most children with these symptoms will not have neuroblastoma, but it is important to get checked. 

Read more about how neuroblastoma is diagnosed.