Treatments for Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that usually afflicts children under the age of five and is commonly found in children under the age of one. Very rarely does this type of cancer affect adults or older children. According to the Mayo Clinic, neuroblastoma develops from nerve cells. The cancer can develop in areas of the body such as the adrenal glands, abdomen, chest, neck, pelvis, and where clusters of nerves exist. Depending on the stage of development in your child's cancer, treatment will vary. Other factors include age of the child, whether there are any abnormalities in the cancer and the type of cells involved.

Surgery

• If the neuroblastoma is considered to be low-risk, doctors may try to remove a tumor with surgery. Depending on the size of the tumor, the tumor may be able to be completely removed. However, if a tumor is located on the lungs, doctors may choose to leave the tumor and find another treatment option or remove as much of the tumor as possible. According to the Mayo Clinic, chemotherapy and radiation may then be used in the hopes of killing any remaining cancer cells after most of a tumor has been removed.

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

• Intraoperative radiation therapy is used in cases where removal of neuroblastoma proves to be difficult. First, a surgeon will try to remove as much of a tumor as he possibly can. According to the Mayo Clinic, a machine known as a linear accelerator then shoots a beam of radiation that is localized at the cancerous tumor. As a result of intraoperative radiation therapy, surrounding organs are less effected by the radiation, which results in the likelihood of healthy tissues not becoming damaged.

Radiation

• Radiation is used to destroy cancer cells in high doses. When your child undergoes radiation therapy, a team of specialists will try to protect the healthy cells in the surrounding area of where the cancer will be treated. However, it is common for healthy cancer cells to be destroyed. Radiation therapy is usually used when surgery and chemotherapy have not worked. Radiation may also be used in the hopes of keeping neuroblastoma from reoccurring.

Chemotherapy

• When your child receives chemotherapy, chemicals are placed into the body in order to kill cancer cells. However, one of the downsides of chemotherapy is the destruction of healthy cells, such as in hair follicles. Your child may experience side effects as a result of normal cells being destroyed. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery in the hopes of shrinking a tumor or as a treatment when a tumor can't be removed.

Stem Cell Transplant

• According to the Mayo Clinic, children can get a transplant by using their own blood stem cells. Our bone marrow is rich in stem cells. As the stem cells grow, they develop into red and white cells and platelets. Before your child receives a stem cell transplant, your child will undergo a procedure to have stem cells filtered from her blood. After, chemotherapy is used to kill off any remaining cancer cells. The stem cells are then injected back into your child, where they can grow into new, healthy blood cells.

Possible Side Effects

• The treatments associated with cancer treatment can have long-term effects. It is highly suggested that your child see a doctor yearly as a result of possible effects of cancer treatment on your child. Cancer treatment can result in thyroid issues, second cancers, infertility, difficulty concentrating and the inability to process thoughts.