A five-year-old girl is now cancer-free after a tumor was found during a routine dentist's visit.
Hunter Jones, from Everett, Washington, was visiting Dr Harlyn Sussarla at Stellar Kids Dentistry for a cleaning in August 2017 when the dentist noticed several loose teeth.
Thinking it was strange for the little girl's age, Dr Sussarla ordered an X-ray, which revealed a tumor in Hunter's jaw, reported KOMO News.
A few days later, the family visited Seattle Children's Hospital, where surgeons confirmed she had neuroblastoma, a cancer that forms in nerve tissue.
Following 18 months of aggresstive chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, Hunter is now cancer-free.
Hunter Jones, five (left and right), from Everett, Washington, was getting her teeth cleaned when her dentist Dr Haarlyn Sussarla noticed several loose teeth. Thinking it was strange for the little girl's age, Dr Sussarla ordered an X-ray, which revealed a tumor in Hunter's jaw
A few days later, the family visited Seattle Children's Hospital, where surgeons confirmed she had neuroblastoma, a cancer that forms in nerve tissue. Pictured: Hunter, left, following treatment, with her dentist, Dr Harlyn Sussarla
Hunter's mother, Kara, says she was shocked by the diagnosis because her daughter had shown no signs or symptoms that anything was wrong.
'I was freaked out,' she told KOMO News. 'I was at the dentist. You don't... tumor? No.'
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops in immature nerve cells throughout the body.
It most commonly begins in the adrenal glands, which are right on top of the kidneys, but can also develop in other places such as the chest, abdomen or spine.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain, dark circles around the eyes, fever, and weight loss.
The cancer is most frequently diagnosed in children who are five years old or younger.
Treatment depends on the tumor's location and size but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants.
According to the
