New Jersey-based physician Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, practices as a hematologist and an oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC, in Howell. With more than three decades of experience in the field, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has cared for thousands of patients with various cancers and blood disorders.
Although cancer is most often thought of as an adult condition, it can occur in infants and children, as is the case with neuroblastomas. The most common type of cancer affecting infants, this rare form of cancer is normally found in children aged 5 or younger. It occurs when a solid tumor grows from immature nerve cells, or neuroblasts, in the body.
As a fetus develops, its neuroblasts should turn into nerve cells, fibers, and other cells that make up the adrenal glands. In most cases, the neuroblasts mature by the time a fetus is born, but they can occasionally mature after birth, as well. These immature cells will continue to mature after birth; however, sometimes they start growing uncontrollably and form a tumor, or neuroblastoma, instead.
Scientists aren’t sure exactly what causes the neuroblasts to become cancerous in some patients, though they have linked the condition to genetics. DNA changes that turn on oncogenes, which help cells grow and divide, increase the risk of neuroblastomas. The same is true of changes that turn off tumor suppressor genes that are responsible for controlling cell death.
Specific chromosome changes, including mutations to the ALK oncogene and PHOX2B gene, the latter of which helps nerve cells mature, have also been linked to the development of neuroblastomas. These specific changes are inherited by parents. Oncogene and tumor suppressor gene changes may also be inherited by parents, but some patients do experience these changes naturally over time.
Despite the genetic link, and the fact that infants have a higher chance of developing neuroblastoma if there is a family history of the condition, most neuroblastomas form spontaneously.
Although cancer is most often thought of as an adult condition, it can occur in infants and children, as is the case with neuroblastomas. The most common type of cancer affecting infants, this rare form of cancer is normally found in children aged 5 or younger. It occurs when a solid tumor grows from immature nerve cells, or neuroblasts, in the body.
As a fetus develops, its neuroblasts should turn into nerve cells, fibers, and other cells that make up the adrenal glands. In most cases, the neuroblasts mature by the time a fetus is born, but they can occasionally mature after birth, as well. These immature cells will continue to mature after birth; however, sometimes they start growing uncontrollably and form a tumor, or neuroblastoma, instead.
Scientists aren’t sure exactly what causes the neuroblasts to become cancerous in some patients, though they have linked the condition to genetics. DNA changes that turn on oncogenes, which help cells grow and divide, increase the risk of neuroblastomas. The same is true of changes that turn off tumor suppressor genes that are responsible for controlling cell death.
Specific chromosome changes, including mutations to the ALK oncogene and PHOX2B gene, the latter of which helps nerve cells mature, have also been linked to the development of neuroblastomas. These specific changes are inherited by parents. Oncogene and tumor suppressor gene changes may also be inherited by parents, but some patients do experience these changes naturally over time.
Despite the genetic link, and the fact that infants have a higher chance of developing neuroblastoma if there is a family history of the condition, most neuroblastomas form spontaneously.
