Cancer Types And The Cells They Originate From

Blastoma

Blastoma is a form of cancer that starts in developing cells in the body of a child or fetus. The type of cells that form blastomas are referred to as precursor cells, which are stem cells that can differentiate into any type of cell in the body. Blastomas develop when these precursor cells do not differentiate into their cell types properly during early childhood, infancy, and before birth. There are several different types of blastomas. A hepatoblastoma is a tumor that develops in the liver that usually affects children who are three years old or younger. Nephroblastoma describes when a tumor develops in the precursor cells in the kidney. Medulloblastoma is a term used to describe a malignant tumor that develops in the precursor cells of the cerebellum in the brain. Neuroblastoma is a tumor that develops in precursor nerve cells located outside of the brain, including those in the adrenal glands, pelvis, abdomen, chest, and upper spine. Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a tumor that develops in the immature cells of the lungs that usually affects individuals under five years old.

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Schwannoma

Schwannoma is a term used to describe cancerous tumors that develop in certain types of nerve cells, referred to as Schwann cells, in the nervous system. Schwannomas may also be referred to as neurolemmomas, neuromas, soft tissue sarcoma, or neurilemomas in the medical community. Schwannomas can affect Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and the cranial nerves. Schwann cells are the cells in the peripheral nervous system responsible for producing the myelin sheath around the axons of the nerves. Some of the most common sites of schwannoma development include the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, the sciatic nerve of the leg, the group of nerves in the lower back, and the brachial plexus nerves in the arm. Most schwannomas do not have an identifiable cause, but some may be associated with a genetic disorder like schwannomatosis, Carney complex, and neurofibromatosis 2. Symptoms of schwannomas do not manifest until the tumor begins to put pressure on the nerves around it.

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