Child diagnosed with metastatic neuroblastoma in China

A 4-year-old girl in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, has been diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma that has metastasized to stage M. The diagnosis follows a period where her symptoms were misattributed to sleep deprivation.

The child initially exhibited dark, bluish-purple circles around her eyes, which her mother incorrectly assumed were caused by late-night phone use. As the condition progressed, the girl suffered from loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and leg pain. Instead of seeking professional medical help, the family attempted various folk remedies, including herbal medicine and calcium supplements.

The child was eventually taken to the Beijing Children's Hospital of Capital Medical University after becoming emaciated and experiencing intense pain. Dr. Zhao Wen, Head of Oncology at the hospital, confirmed the presence of a malignant tumor in the retroperitoneal region.