BANDofPARENTSbound by hope
Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, affecting approximately 650 children in
the U.S. every year. It is the second most common solid tumor in infants. Most children are diagnosed by 2.5
years of age. Up to sixty percent of them have high risk disease that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the
body) by the time they are diagnosed. Survival is dependent on age and disease stage: children diagnosed before
the age of 18 months have a high survival rate, but high risk children diagnosed before age 5 have about a 30
percent chance of growing up. For children over age 5, teens, and adults, the prognosis is very poor.
One problem all childhood cancer patients face is the lack of money for research. We are thankful there are not
more children diagnosed with cancer. However, the relatively low number of diagnoses means that finding new
treatments for childhood cancer is not profitable for drug companies. Most drugs used on children today were
developed for adults 20 to 30 years ago.
The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, though most physicians believe that it is an accidental cell growth that
occurs during normal development of the adrenal glands. Increased awareness and improved screening has
contributed to a recent increase in the detection and incidence of neuroblastoma.
the U.S. every year. It is the second most common solid tumor in infants. Most children are diagnosed by 2.5
years of age. Up to sixty percent of them have high risk disease that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the
body) by the time they are diagnosed. Survival is dependent on age and disease stage: children diagnosed before
the age of 18 months have a high survival rate, but high risk children diagnosed before age 5 have about a 30
percent chance of growing up. For children over age 5, teens, and adults, the prognosis is very poor.
One problem all childhood cancer patients face is the lack of money for research. We are thankful there are not
more children diagnosed with cancer. However, the relatively low number of diagnoses means that finding new
treatments for childhood cancer is not profitable for drug companies. Most drugs used on children today were
developed for adults 20 to 30 years ago.
The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, though most physicians believe that it is an accidental cell growth that
occurs during normal development of the adrenal glands. Increased awareness and improved screening has
contributed to a recent increase in the detection and incidence of neuroblastoma.
BANDofPARENTS bound by hope
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) federal
budget was $4.6 billion. Of that, breast cancer
received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%,
and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers
combined received less than 3% .
budget was $4.6 billion. Of that, breast cancer
received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%,
and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers
combined received less than 3% .
Although the 5 year survival
rate is steadily increasing, one
quarter of children will die 5
years from the time of diagnosis.
rate is steadily increasing, one
quarter of children will die 5
years from the time of diagnosis.
One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.
Each school day, 46
children are diagnosed with
cancer.
children are diagnosed with
cancer.
Each child in the U.S. diagnosed with
cancer receives approximately one-sixth
of the federal research support allocated
to each patient afflicted with AIDS. Yet in
2004, 48 new cases of pediatric AIDS
were diagnosed vs. more than 12,000
pediatric cancer cases.
cancer receives approximately one-sixth
of the federal research support allocated
to each patient afflicted with AIDS. Yet in
2004, 48 new cases of pediatric AIDS
were diagnosed vs. more than 12,000
pediatric cancer cases.
KNOW THE FACTS AND HELP CHILDREN WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST
NEUROBLASTOMA
NEUROBLASTOMA
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Cancer accounts for the greatest number of disease
deaths of children in the United States and kills more
children per year than cystic fibrosis, muscular
dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined.
deaths of children in the United States and kills more
children per year than cystic fibrosis, muscular
dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined.
