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  1. About neuroblastoma
  2. Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Your GP should refer your child to a specialist if they show the more common symptoms of neuroblastoma, like a lump in their tummy or a swollen tummy.

You will see a specialist children's doctor, called a paediatrician. Depending on your child's diagnosis, you may also see a paediatric oncologist - a specialist children and young person's cancer doctor.

What tests are done to check for neuroblastoma?

If one of these doctors suspects that your child may have neuroblastoma there will be a number of confirmatory tests that will need to be done to confirm a diagnosis and help determine the best way to treat the child. These include urine tests - to check for compounds that are secreted by the neuroblastoma, and ultrasound, CT and MRI scans. 

Another diagnostic scan that is used is called MIBG (metaiodobenzyl guanidine) which is a radioactive molecule, given in an injection, which attaches to neuroblastoma cells and then makes them visible when scanned.

Called a biopsy, your child's doctor might want to take a sample of something seen on a scan. This is usually a small sample of cells taken using a needle.

There may also be checks to see if the neuroblastoma has spread to the bones by taking bone marrow samples. This is called a bone marrow biopsy.

Your child may have more than one test on the same day. While they aren't painful, they will have to keep still for them.

What to expect

When families receive a diagnosis of neuroblastoma they can often experience confusion, shock and bewilderment. Read more

Published: 7th May, 2019

Updated: 18th August, 2019

Author:

Related topics:
  • Diagnosis

Risk groups and stages of neuroblastoma

What are the risk groups and different stages diagnosed with neuroblastoma? Read more

Published: 7th May, 2019

Updated: 18th August, 2019

Author:

Related topics:
  • Diagnosis
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Solving Kids’ Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1135601), and in Scotland (SCO45094). It is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (7208648). The charity and company is currently operating as Solving Kids’ Cancer.