Multidisciplinary Approach to Neuroblastoma Treatment
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that typically affects infants and young children. It’s the most common pediatric solid tumor that develops outside of the brain.
Neuroblastoma begins in early nerve cells, called neuroblasts, which can be found in many places in the body. The most common location is in the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys and produce important hormones. However, neuroblastoma can also start in the spinal cord, neck, chest, or abdomen.
UT Southwestern Pediatric Group’s cancer specialists are experts in treating childhood cancers such as neuroblastoma. We belong to the Children’s Oncology Group, a clinical trials organization that’s supported by the National Cancer Institute, as well as several other clinical trial consortiums. These relationships give us access to the latest treatments, information, and support from all over the world.
Through our partnership with Children’s Health, we’re among the country’s first 20 cancer programs to offer an advanced treatment for certain kinds of neuroblastoma. Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is a compound used to provide targeted radiation therapy for tumors that recur or don’t respond to initial treatment.
Our skilled multidisciplinary team includes pediatric oncologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatric radiation oncologists, pediatric pathologists, and pediatric radiologists who are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of childhood cancers – especially neuroblastoma.