EN
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that develops from a specific type of the body’s nerve cells called neuroblasts. Read the article to learn about the main nephroblastoma treatment methods – surgical intervention and bone marrow transplantation.
WHAT ARE THE RISK GROUPS FOR NEUROBLASTOMA?
90% of patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma are under five years old. It rarely occurs in children over ten years of age. Usually, it grows from the adrenal glands or abdominal cavity. Sometimes it affects the cervical or thoracic sections, and nerve nodes of the lumbar region.
American Cancer Society reposts that neuroblastoma is most prevalent in children between their first and second year of life. It is also one of the most common childhood cancers (6% of patients under 1 year). By the time the parents and doctors notice the alarming symptoms, in 30% of cases, the metastasis process has already started. The most affected areas are lymph nodes and neighboring tissue.
Abroad, the main methods of treatment for neuroblastoma are surgical intervention, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, as well as bone marrow transplantation.
IN WHICH CASES IS AN OPERATION NECESSARY?
Solely operational removal of the cancer is relevant in the initial phase of neuroblastoma. In all other cases, doctors combine surgery with other therapies. Abroad, oncologists mainly use microsurgical techniques for tumor removal. This method is preferable because of small incisions and a shorter recovery period. Before the intervention, each patient undergoes a complete examination. Malignant cells and bone marrow tissue biopsies are mandatory for confirming the diagnosis and determining the disease. Based on age and laboratory results, patients are divided into three risk groups: low, medium and high.
Surgical removal of the neoplasm is sufficient for low-risk patients. For babies at medium risk, most effective is a set of measures that includes surgery and chemo before and/or after surgery. This approach can either shrink the tumor before the intervention or destroy the remaining cancerous cells after surgery. High-risk patients often require intensive combined therapy, including:
chemotherapy;
surgical removal;
radiotherapy;
bone marrow transplantation;
immunotherapy;
retinoid therapy.
Surgical removal is also an efficient treatment of recurrent low and medium risk tumors in the same location as in previous time. For recurring aggressive tumors, the doctors use a medical scheme that combines high-dose chemotherapy with autologous by stem cell transplantation.
BONE MARROW STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS FOR NEUROBLASTOMA PATIENTS
Doctors often prescribe high-dose chemotherapy to patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, which often comes with a side effect of bone marrow damage. This organ is critical for anyone, but especially to growing organists, as it produces new blood cells that transport oxygen and are responsible for the body’s defense systems.
In order to minimize the negative impact, before the procedure begins, the child’s own stem cells are collected and transplanted back following the chemo.
As a result of transplantation, the child’s body produces new blood cells, which helps the patient to survive the consequences of chemotherapy. During this period the child stays in a hospital with a sterile environment, which reduces the chance of complications.
High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation should only be applied in a nationally recognized oncology center, where the staff has experience in conducting the procedure and managing the recovery period.
WHERE THE OPERATION IS PERFORMED AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that has a high rate of expansion and the spread of metastases. Parents of children with this diagnosis should consider contacting specialized oncology centers. There, the experienced staff will be able to examine the patient and assign the right therapy scheme as quickly as possible. The most advanced clinics in this direction are:
Teknon, Quiron Torrevieja, and Quiron Barcelona in Spain;
The cost of the operation varies from country to country. The most expensive treatment is in Spain (from €30,000) and Israel (from $40,000). Families that have a limited budget should pay attention to Turkey. A tumor removal operation here will cost 30%-50% cheaper than in the previous two countries – about $20,000.
In order to quickly arrange neuroblastoma treatment abroad, you can contact MediGlobus employees. Coordinator doctors help you find a clinic and a doctor, book a hotel, collect visa documents and provide round-the-clock support during treatment abroad – all this free of charge. Understanding that the most valuable thing in cancer treatment is time, so we organize a medical trip as soon as possible.
