Ganglioneuroma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Ganglioneuroma?
A surgeon who treats tumors, such as a surgical oncologist (a cancer surgeon), usually treats a ganglioneuroma. A neurosurgeon (a brain and spine surgeon) may help if the tumor is near the spinal cord. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a ganglioneuroma?
A ganglioneuroma is a tumor of the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic nerves manage body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, bowel and bladder emptying, and digestion.
Ganglioneuromas are rare. They are usually noncancerous, which doctors call benign. They grow slowly and may release certain chemicals or hormones.
Symptoms
A ganglioneuroma usually causes no symptoms. Often it is found only when a person is examined or treated for another condition. Symptoms depend on the location of the tumor and the type of chemicals it releases.
A tumor in the chest area may cause:
- Breathing difficulty.
- Chest pain.
- Pressure on the windpipe.
A tumor in the lower abdomen may cause:
- Belly or back pain.
- Bloating.
A tumor near the spinal cord can press on the spinal cord. This can cause pain, and weakness or loss of feeling in the legs, arms, or both. It can also cause spine deformity.
Tumors that make hormones can cause diarrhea, high blood pressure, or increased body hair.
Causes and who gets it
Ganglioneuromas are rare tumors that come from neural crest cells. Neural crest cells are early cells that go on to form nerve tissue. Most often they start in autonomic nerve cells.
These tumors usually occur in people over 10 years of age. There are no known risk factors. However, the tumors may be linked with some genetic problems, such as neurofibromatosis type 1.
How doctors diagnose it
The best tests to find a ganglioneuroma are scans.
- A CT scan of the chest, belly, and pelvis.
- An MRI scan of the chest and belly.
- An ultrasound of the belly or pelvis.
Blood and urine tests may be done to see if the tumor is making hormones or other chemicals. A biopsy, which means taking a small piece of the tumor to study, or complete removal of the tumor may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor if it is causing symptoms. For tumors that are symptomatic or growing, removal may be curative.
Some tumors can be watched instead. Active surveillance, which means regular scans to check for changes, may be appropriate for benign tumors that cause no symptoms. Most ganglioneuromas grow slowly and rarely turn into neuroblastoma, a cancer of immature nerve cells.
Surgery can also lead to complications in some cases. If the tumor has pressed on the spinal cord for a long time, surgery may not reverse the damage.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms that may be caused by this type of tumor. Get checked promptly for new belly or back pain. Pressure on the spinal cord can cause paralysis, especially if the cause is not found promptly.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe trouble breathing, chest pain lasting two minutes or more, or sudden or fast-worsening weakness or loss of feeling in the arms or legs. These can be signs of pressure on the spinal cord.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can do an exam, order tests, and refer you to a surgeon or other specialist. They can also help with follow-up care.
Common questions
Is a ganglioneuroma cancer?
Usually not. They rarely turn into neuroblastoma, a cancer of immature nerve cells.
Does a ganglioneuroma always need surgery?
No. Surgery is used if the tumor is causing symptoms. Active surveillance may be appropriate for benign tumors that cause no symptoms.
What is the outlook for a ganglioneuroma?
The outlook is usually good. Problems are more likely if the tumor has pressed on the spinal cord for a long time before it is found.
Can a ganglioneuroma be prevented?
A ganglioneuroma probably cannot be prevented, because no risk factors are known.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Ganglioneuroma
- NCBI (PubMed Central) - Retrospective Analysis of Retroperitoneal-Abdominal-Pelvic Ganglioneuromas
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
