What is the treatment for stage 4 neuroblastoma?

Question

Hello doctor,

My daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (stage 4) six months ago. She is 1 year and 8 months old, and she is very active. Her current weight is 22 pounds. A tri-phase CT scan of the abdomen and a PET scan have been taken.

She has undergone five chemotherapy sessions, and the doctor who treats my daughter told us that the response is not good and she has referred us to a surgeon. The surgeon, after diagnosing, said that the tumor cannot be removed completely and that he can remove only up to 70-75%.

So, the surgeon asked us to check with our oncologist as to whether we must go ahead with the surgery or if there are any other options, since surgery cannot ensure the complete removal of the tumor. Our oncologist has asked us to decide whether to go ahead with the surgery or try one more session of chemotherapy.

We are confused and do not know how to proceed further. If the tumor cannot be removed completely and if 25% of it is left behind, what do we do? Is there a way to remove more than 90% of the tumor?

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

We will pay close attention to your worries and address all your questions with utmost care.

You should discuss the possibility of radiotherapy for your child. For your information, initially, chemotherapy is done to reduce the size of the tumor, and then surgery is done to remove it completely. Unfortunately, in some cases, it becomes difficult to remove the tumor completely.

In such cases, the next option is either radiotherapy or a further course of chemotherapy, which has to be decided by the oncologist and the oncosurgeon. I am unfortunately not able to open your attachment.

Please feel free to reach me again in case of any further queries.

Thank you.