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.

Keep reading to uncover more types of cancer and details on the cells in which they originate now.