Neuroblastoma is a cancer of nerve cells in several parts of the body, including the abdomen, chest, neck and pelvis. It is most common in children younger than 5. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and stem-cell therapy. Experts warn that nonstandard treatments probably are ineffective and may well be dangerous.
Surgery
Treatment for neuroblastoma depends on the patient's age, the stage of the cancer, the prognosis for recovery, and the location and size of the tumor. According to the Mayo Clinic, surgery is a popular option for low-risk tumors--those that are small and located away from vital body parts such as the lungs or spinal cord. With higher-risk tumors, doctors may choose to eliminate only part of the tumor and leave the rest to another form of treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy--the use of chemicals to destroy cancer cells--is a preferred treatment when a patient has a small tumor that is near a vital organ. Doctors may also use chemotherapy as a precursor to surgery, shrinking a tumor to the point where it's small enough to remove surgically.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy targets energy particles to destroy cancer cells. It is directed at specific parts of the body, and children often receive it when surgery and chemotherapy have failed. According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors also use radiation as a follow-up to successful chemotherapy or surgery.
Stem-Cell Therapy
Children with high-risk neuroblastoma may receive a transplant of their own blood stem cells. According to the Mayo Clinic, the patient's stem cells are filtered from the blood, high doses of chemotherapy kill the remaining cancer cells, then the stem cells are injected into the body to form healthy new blood cells.
Retinoid Therapy
According to the American Cancer Society, retinoid therapy is a common means of preventing recurrence of a tumor after chemotherapy or a stem-cell transplant. Retinoids are substances that are chemically like vitamin A, and they are said to promote the development of normal cells. Doctors often recommend six months of retinoid therapy. Retinoids are taken as capsules.
Other Alternatives
Cancer is so fearsome that people often search in vain for a miracle cure. This is especially true with neuroblastoma, where parents are so concerned they may be willing to listen to anyone who claims to have a solution. The American Cancer Society warns against nonstandard treatments. People should be skeptical of therapies that promise cures, attack traditional medicine, are associated with a secret or specialized community of healers, or require travel to another country.
Tags: According Mayo, According Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, stem cells, American Cancer, American Cancer Society