Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma starts developing in certain, very early forms of nerve cells. They are most often found in an embryo or a fetus. Neuroblastoma is the fourth most common cancer type among children and the most common cancer type in infants. It almost always develops before the age of 5, and the average age of diagnosis is between 1 and 2.
What are the symptoms of neuroblastoma?
Sometimes neuroblastoma shows no symptoms, and sometimes it is misdiagnosed because its symptoms look like those of other more common conditions.
Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma may include:
- Bruising
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Fatigue
- Lumps in the abdomen, lower back, neck or chest
- Bone pain
- Bulging eyes, drooping eyelid
- Dark circles under or around the eyes
- Swollen, distended stomach
- Breathing problems or coughing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness or paralysis of the lower extremities
- Fever, anemia and high blood pressure
- Swelling of legs or scrotum
- Problems with urination or bowel movements
- Headaches, dizziness
How is neuroblastoma diagnosed?
Tests and procedures used to diagnose neuroblastoma may include:
- Physical exam
- Urine and blood tests
- Imaging tests such as CT and MRI
- Removing a sample of tissue for testing
- Bone marrow biopsy
What are Neuroblastoma treatment options?
- Surgery: In children with low-risk neuroblastoma, surgery to remove the tumor may be the only treatment needed. Surrounding lymph nodes also may be removed to find out if the cancer has spread.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Neuroblastoma often spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver or bones before it is diagnosed. Chemotherapy travels all through the body, and that makes it effective in treating neuroblastoma. Chemotherapy is usually used before surgery and before bone marrow transplant.
- Radiation therapy: Some children may receive radiation therapy if surgery and chemotherapy haven't been helpful. Children with high-risk neuroblastoma may receive radiation therapy after chemotherapy and surgery, to prevent cancer from recurring.
- Bone marrow transplant: Children with high-risk neuroblastoma may receive a transplant using stem cells collected from bone marrow (
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses drugs that work by signaling your body's immune system to help fight cancer cells. Children with high-risk neuroblastoma may receive immunotherapy drugs that stimulate the immune system to kill the neuroblastoma cells.
Why choose Turkey for neuroblastoma treatment?
- International accreditation: Our partner hospitals for neuroblastoma treatment in Turkey are certified by independent international organizations such as JCI (Joint Commission International) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and they are all university hospitals.
- Latest technology: Latest technologies are applied in our contracted hospitals to achieve the great results.
- Fast treatment arrangement: Since neuroblastoma treatment requires urgency, we suggest you to start your treatment as soon as possible.
- Our partner hospitals has cooperation with top American cancer centers.
- Low prices: In Turkey, we provide affordable and high-quality healthcare for neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma treatment cost in Turkey is 2 to 3 times lower than in Europe.
- Geographic location: Nearly one billion people from different countries can reach Turkey in around four hours. The national carrier, Turkish Airlines, has direct flights from 57 countries. Turkey has 4 direct flights from Moldova and more than 1 direct flights from Romania every day and they take just around one hour.
