Risk Factors
A risk factor is a characteristic, behavior, or condition that raises the possibility of developing a disease.
Family History
In some cases, Neuroblastoma may be associated with an inherited gene abnormality. Approximately 1-2% of newly diagnosed patients have the inherited form of the disease. Neuroblastoma associated with a familial or hereditary risk generally occur at a younger age and may have multiple tumors in multiple locations in the body.
Disorders of the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart beat, breathing, digestion, pupil dilation, and salivation. Mutations in the PHOX2B gene (a key regulator of normal autonomic nervous system development) has been observed in some patients with hereditary neuroblastoma.
Heritable mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene
ALK plays an important role in normal brain and nervous system development. Mutation in the ALK gene in the primary cause of familial neuroblastoma.
