What is blastoma?
Blastoma is a rare tumor that usually occurs in children and adolescents. It originates from undifferentiated mother cells that have the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types. Blastoma can occur in many parts of the body, including the brain, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eyes. This article will introduce in detail the definition, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and latest research progress of blastoma.
1. Definition of blastoma
Blastoma is a tumor that develops from undifferentiated blast cells. These cells are highly proliferative and can differentiate into a variety of cell types. Blastoma usually occurs in children and adolescents, but it can also occur in adults. Depending on the site of occurrence, blastoma can be divided into various types, such as neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, and retinoblastoma.
| Type | site of occurrence | common age |
|---|---|---|
| neuroblastoma | Adrenal gland, sympathetic ganglion | Children under 5 years old |
| nephroblastoma | kidney | Children aged 3-4 years |
| retinoblastoma | eyes | infants |
2. Symptoms of blastoma
Symptoms of blastoma vary depending on the location and size of the tumor. Here are some common blastoma symptoms:
| Type | Common symptoms |
|---|---|
| neuroblastoma | Abdominal mass, bone pain, fever, weight loss |
| nephroblastoma | Abdominal mass, hematuria, abdominal pain |
| retinoblastoma | White pupils (leukocoria), strabismus, decreased vision |
3. Diagnosis of blastoma
The diagnosis of blastoma usually requires comprehensive judgment through a variety of examination methods. The following are common diagnostic methods:
| Check method | Description |
|---|---|
| Imaging examination | Including ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc., used to determine the location and size of the tumor |
| Biopsy | Obtain tumor tissue through surgery or puncture for pathological examination |
| blood test | Detection of tumor markers, such as catecholamine metabolites in neuroblastoma |
4. Treatment of blastoma
Treatment options for blastoma depend on the type of tumor, its stage, and the age of the patient. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy.
| Treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| surgery | Removal of tumor tissue, suitable for early-stage and localized tumors |
| Chemotherapy | Using drugs to kill cancer cells, suitable for advanced or metastatic tumors |
| radiotherapy | Uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, suitable for certain types of tumors |
| targeted therapy | Targeting specific molecules of tumor cells for precise treatment |
5. Latest Research Progress
In recent years, research on blastoma has made significant progress. Scientists are exploring new treatments and drugs to improve survival and quality of life for patients. Here are some of the latest research developments:
| Research direction | progress |
|---|---|
| Immunotherapy | Attack tumor cells by activating the patient's immune system |
| gene therapy | Inhibiting the growth of tumor cells by modifying their genes |
| New targeted drugs | Develop drugs that target specific genetic mutations or proteins |
6. Summary
Blastoma is a rare but serious tumor that mainly affects children and adolescents. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improve patient survival rates. As medical research continues to advance, new treatments and drugs are emerging, bringing new hope to patients. If you or your family members develop related symptoms, please seek medical attention promptly for early diagnosis and treatment.
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