Understanding the Treatment OptionsUnderstanding the Treatment Options
How is neuroblastoma treated?
Treatment in neuroblastoma will vary for children in different risk groups. Those with high-risk neuroblastoma have a higher risk of relapse and may receive more intensive therapy than those with non–high-risk (low- or intermediate-risk) neuroblastoma.
Low risk
40% of new patients
Main treatments
- Observation
- Surgery
Prognosis
>95% survival
High risk
45-50% of new patients
Main treatments
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
Prognosis
<60% survival
Non–high-risk (low- or intermediate-risk) neuroblastoma
For children with low-risk neuroblastoma, surgery to remove the tumor is often the only treatment necessary. Treatment for children with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma often includes chemotherapy and, if necessary, surgery to remove the tumor as well.
Learn more about your child’s treatment for non–high-risk (low- or intermediate-risk) neuroblastoma
High-risk neuroblastoma
For children with high-risk neuroblastoma, intensive (strong) treatment that combines chemotherapy, surgery, autologous stem cell transplant (also called bone marrow transplant), radiation therapy, and antibody therapy is usually required.
Children are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma either because of aggressive tumor cell characteristics or the presence of disease in multiple places.
Learn more about your child’s treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma