Neuroblastoma

Treatment

Early stage treatment of neuroblastoma may involve only surgery to remove the tumor. When the disease is more advanced, a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may be needed. A novel approach involving an antibody combined with immunotherapy may be appropriate for the treating of some children. Immunotherapy involves the body's natural defense system in fighting cancer.

Surgery

Surgical techniques used for neuroblastoma cases vary depending upon the tumor's location. When neuroblastoma is diagnosed early, surgery may be the only treatment necessary. Surgery involves removal of the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes. If the tumor is too large to be removed completely, then a biopsy (tissue collection) is performed followed by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may shrink the tumor, making surgery to remove the entire tumor more likely to succeed.

Chemotherapy

Expert physicians choose chemotherapy regimens based on the tumor's progression and spread. Courses of chemotherapy use anticancer drugs given intravenously or orally (by mouth) to destroy cancerous cells. Clinical trials are offered to patients who may benefit from treatments in development.

Radiation Therapy

At Mayo Clinic, experts provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy that includes intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This form of external radiation allows the radiation oncologist to minimize the high-dose radiation applied to nearby healthy tissue. External beam radiation is also aimed at localized regions near the tumor site to kill lymph node tissue that has been invaded by cancer.