Definition of Ganglioneuroma
Ganglioneuroma is a tumor of the peripheral nervous system.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Ganglioneuromas are rare tumors that most frequently start in the autonomic nerve cells, which may be in any part of the body. The tumor are usually noncancerous (benign).
Symptoms
A ganglioneuroma usually causes no symptoms, and is only discovered when being examined or treated for another condition.
Signs and tests
The best tools to identify a ganglioneuroma are:
Treatment
Treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor (if it is causing symptoms).
Expectations (prognosis)
Most ganglioneuromas are noncancerous. The expected outcome is usually good. A ganglioneuroma may, however, become cancerous and spread to other areas, or it may come back after removal.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 9/13/2010
