What are the treatment options for neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma develops from immature nerve cells, often in the abdomen, chest or neck. The care team considers the child's age, tumour location, biology, genetic findings, spread and response to treatment. Some tumours can be watched closely, while others need several treatments delivered in a planned sequence.

Surgery may remove all or part of a tumour when it can be done safely. Chemotherapy can shrink disease or treat cells throughout the body. Targeted radioisotope therapy delivers radiation to cells that take up a specific substance and is generally considered in particular treatment settings. Specialist teams balance disease control with growth, organ function and development.

Keep a record of medicines, temperature, eating, drinking, urine output, pain and activity. Ask about infection precautions, school or nursery, fertility preservation, central-line care and nutrition. Tell the team promptly about fever, vomiting, constipation, reduced urine, new weakness or pain. Read about [Chemotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/chemotherapy/), [Tumour Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/tumour-removal-surgery/) and [Targeted Radioisotope Therapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/targeted-radioisotope-therapy/).

Follow the child's oncology team's fever instructions exactly. Seek urgent advice for fever, shaking chills, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, very little urine, a new seizure, unusual bleeding or sudden weakness. Emergency help is needed for collapse, severe breathing difficulty or a seizure that does not stop.

What risk features guide my child's plan? What is the purpose of each treatment and how will response be checked? Could surgery affect nearby organs or nerves? When might radioisotope therapy be considered? How will development and long-term health be supported?