The first symptoms are usually fever, a general sick feeling (
Other symptoms depend on the site of the tumor, and may include:
-
Bone pain or tenderness (if the cancer spreads to the bones) - Difficulty breathing or a chronic cough (if the cancer spreads to the chest)
- Enlarged abdomen (from a large tumor or excess fluid)
- Flushed, red skin
- Pale skin and bluish color around the eyes
- Profuse sweating
- Rapid pulse (
tachycardia )
Brain and nervous system problems may include:
- Inability to empty the bladder
- Loss of movement (
paralysis ) of the hips, legs, or feet (lower extremities) - Problems with balance
-
Uncontrolled eye movements or leg and feet movements (called opsoclonus-myoconus syndrome, or "dancing eyes and dancing feet")
Signs and tests
Signs vary depending on the location of the tumor.
- Examination of the abdomen with the hands (
palpation ) may reveal a lump. - The liver may be enlarged, if the tumor has spread to the liver.
- Adrenal gland tumors can cause high blood pressure and a fast heart rate.
- Lymph nodes may be swollen.
X-ray or imaging tests are done to locate the main (primary) tumor and to see where it has spread. These include:
Bone scan - Bone x-rays
Chest x-ray - CT scan of chest and abdomen
-
MRI scan of chest and abdomen
Other tests include:
- Biopsy of tumor
Bone marrow biopsy -
CBC showinganemia or other abnormality - Coagulation studies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Hormone tests (blood tests to check levels of hormones such as epinephrine and other catecholamines)
MIBG scan -
Urine 24-hour test for catecholamines, homovanillic acid (HVA), and vanillymandelic acid (VMA)
Previous Section
Review Date: 12/28/2010
Reviewed By: Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
