Blood or urine catecholamine tests: Neuroblastoma can often be found by detecting substances called catecholamines in the blood or urine. Sympathetic nerve cells normally release certain chemicals called catecholamines, such as epinephrine (adrenaline). Eventually the body breaks these down into metabolites (smaller pieces), which are then passed out of the body in the urine.

In most cases, neuroblastoma cells make enough catecholamines to be detected by blood or urine tests. The 2 catecholamine metabolites most often measured are:

• homovanillic acid (HVA)
• vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)

Other lab tests: Your child's doctor will probably also order blood tests to check blood cell counts, liver and kidney function, and the salt balance in the body. A urinalysis (urine test) may also be done to further check kidney function.