Neuroblastoma: Patient info on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options

1
NEUROBLASTOMA

• Information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
  options

2
INTRODUCTION TO NEUROBLASTOMA

• Cancer of the sympathetic nervous system which
  affects approximately 600 children a year and the
  average age of diagnosis is 3 yrs.
• Stage IV Neuroblastoma is very aggressive and
  chances of survival are 30. NB has one of the
  highest rates of relapse among any cancers, and
  when it does come back, chances of survival are
  5

3
SING AND SYMPTOMS OF NEUROBLASTOMA

• Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma vary
  depending on what part of the body is affected.
  Symptoms of neuroblastoma in the abdomen are
• Abdominal pain
• A mass under the skin that isn't tender when
  touched
• Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea
• Swelling in the legs

4
SING AND SYMPTOMS OF NEUROBLASTOMA

• Symptoms of neuroblastoma in the chest are
• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Drooping eyelids and unequal pupil size
• Enlarged liver
• Fatigue

5
SING AND SYMPTOMS OF NEUROBLASTOMA

• Other signs of neuroblastoma include 
• Lumps of tissue under the skin
• Eyeballs that seem to protrude from the sockets
• Dark circles, similar to bruises, around the eyes
• Back pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Bone pain

6
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS OF NEUROBLASTOMA

• If your doctor suspects neuroblastoma, he may
  suggest the following tests and procedures to
  diagnose neuroblastoma 
• Full body check-up Your child's doctor conducts
  a physical exam to check out any signs and
  symptoms.
• Urine and blood tests These tests may identify
  the cause of any signs and symptoms your child is
  experiencing. Urine tests may be used to check
  for high levels of certain chemicals that result
  from the neuroblastoma cells producing
  excess catecholamine.

7
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS OF NEUROBLASTOMA

• Imaging tests Imaging tests such as X-ray,
  ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT)
  scan, metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan and
  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may reveal a
  mass that can indicate a tumour.
• Removing a sample of tissue for testing If a
  mass is found, your child's doctor may want to
  remove a sample of the tissue for laboratory
  testing which is medically known as biopsy. This
  helps the doctor devise an individualized
  treatment plan.
• Removing a sample of bone marrow for
  testing Your child may also undergo bone marrow
  biopsy and bone marrow aspiration procedures to
  see if neuroblastoma has spread to the bone
  marrow.

8
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR NEUROBLASTOMA 

• The doctors are very selective in choosing the
  treatment plan because it can affect your childs
  prognosis. There are various treatment options
  for neuroblastoma, including
• Surgery Oncologists use various surgical tools
  to remove cancer cells. In children with low-risk
  neuroblastoma, surgery to remove the tumour may
  be the only treatment needed.
• Chemotherapy Chemotherapy uses chemicals to
  destroy cancer cells. This therapy attacks
  rapidly growing cells in the body, including
  cancer cells. Children with moderate
  neuroblastoma often receive a combination of
  chemotherapy drugs before surgery.

9
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR NEUROBLASTOMA 

• Radiation therapy Radiation therapy uses
  high-energy beams to execute cancer cells.
  Children with low to moderate risk of
  neuroblastoma may receive radiation therapy if
  surgery and chemotherapy haven't been helpful.
• Stem cell transplant Children with high-risk
  neuroblastoma may receive a transplant using
  their own blood stem cells.
• Immunotherapy This therapy uses drugs that work
  by stimulating your body's immune system to
  help fight cancer cells.

10
CONNECT WITH US

• Logon to
• www.lazoi.com
• Like us on facebook
• https//www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
• Follow us on Twitter
• https//twitter.com/lazoithelife Follow us on
  Pinterest
• https//in.pinterest.com/lazoithelife/