How Do You Spell NEUROBLASTOMAS?

Pronunciation: [njˌuːɹəblastˈə͡ʊməz] (IPA)

Neuroblastomas (/nuːrəʊblæsˈtoʊməz/) are a type of cancer that affects the developing nerve cells in young children. This word is spelled with the prefix "neuro-", which comes from the Greek word for "nerve", and the suffix "-blastoma", which means "tumor of developing cells". The pronunciation of this word is broken down into syllables: "neu-ro-blas-to-mas". The stress falls on the third syllable, making the pronunciation "nuh-ROH-blas-TOH-muhs". This word can be difficult to spell because of the combination of Greek and Latin roots.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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NEUROBLASTOMAS Meaning and Definition

  1. Neuroblastomas are malignant tumors that originate in the specialized nerve cells called neuroblasts, which are found in various locations of the body during the fetal development stage. Specifically, neuroblastomas arise from the neural crest cells, which are responsible for forming the sympathetic nervous system.

    Neuroblastomas typically develop in the adrenal glands, which are small organs located on top of the kidneys, but they can also occur in nerve tissues along the spine, chest, abdomen, or pelvis. These tumors predominantly affect infants and young children, with 90% of cases diagnosed before the age of 5 years.

    The exact cause of neuroblastoma remains unclear; however, certain genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities have been linked to an increased risk of development. Common signs and symptoms may include a lump or mass in the abdomen, pain, breathing difficulties, fatigue, weight loss, and bone pain if the cancer spreads to the bones.

    Diagnosis of neuroblastomas involves a combination of imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, as well as laboratory tests to examine blood and urine samples. Once diagnosed, the staging of the cancer is determined to evaluate its spread within the body.

    Treatment of neuroblastomas depends on several factors, including the age of the child, tumor characteristics, and the extent of its spread. Options may include surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. Since neuroblastoma can vary widely in terms of severity and prognosis, the outcome and long-term survival rates can vary significantly as well.

Common Misspellings for NEUROBLASTOMAS

Etymology of NEUROBLASTOMAS

The word "neuroblastoma" can be broken down into two components: "neuro" and "blastoma".

1. "Neuro": The term "neuro" is derived from the Greek word "neuron", meaning "nerve". It refers to the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

2. "Blastoma": "Blastoma" is also of Greek origin and stems from the word "blastos", meaning "bud" or "sprout". In medical terminology, "blastoma" is used to describe a tumor composed of immature or undifferentiated cells.

Therefore, "neuroblastoma" is a combination of "neuro" (related to the nervous system) and "blastoma" (indicating a tumor composed of immature cells).