Ganglioneuromas are very rare tumours which affect one in 100,000 people. They target the nerves and cells that carry messages back and forth from your brain (peripheral nervous system). The tumours are usually benign, which means they are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. However, ganglioneuromas can release chemicals and hormones into your body.

What causes ganglioneuroma and who can get it?

The exact cause of ganglioneuroma is unclear. Researchers are still trying to find the trigger but some have suggested that it is linked to genetic conditions, like neurofibromatosis type 1, which also affects the nervous system.

Ganglioneuromas grow slowly. They are usually found in people between the ages of 10 and 40. 

What are the signs and symptoms of ganglioneuroma?

Symptoms vary dramatically depending on where the tumour is located in your body and which chemicals it is producing.

Sometime there are no symptoms at all and the ganglioneuroma is only discovered during treatment for another condition. However, if the tumour is in your chest, belly (abdomen) or close to the spine, the symptoms are more obvious.

In the chest, the tumour can cause difficulty with breathing and swallowing as well as being painful. Lower in the abdomen a ganglioneuroma can cause swelling and pain. When the tumour grows near the spine it can bend the bone and lead to back problems.

The chemicals which the ganglioneuroma produces might give you diarrhoea http://www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk/teens/health/conditions/d/dysentry.html , excess sweating or high blood pressure.

How is it normally diagnosed and treated?

The best way to diagnose a ganglioneuroma is with a special type of X-ray called a CAT scan or with an MRI scan, which uses a magnet to make an image of the body. The doctor will also check your blood and urine for hormones which might come from the tumour.

A firm diagnosis requires a biopsy; this is where a tiny piece of the tumour is removed for analysis under anaesthetic, by needle or a surgical operation. Once the nature of the tumour has been confirmed, doctors will schedule anther operation to remove the ganglioneuroma.

Looking forward

The outlook is good because the tumours are usually benign and don’t cause cancer. It is very unusual for them to spread or return. However, when they are difficult to remove they may have to be left and sometimes this leads to ongoing symptoms which need to be controlled with medication.

For more help and information

There is plenty of advice at Tic – Teen Information on Cancer. Visit their website at www.click4tic.org.uk

Cancerbackup can also help. Check them out at www.cancerbackup.org.uk

Last Reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 17 October 2007

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