What if my child can’t have surgery for neuroblastoma? 

Clinical decisions about whether your child can have surgery are based on individual risk factors and your child’s specific case. 

Sometimes, the sequence of treatments may differ from the usual approach. In some cases, it may not be possible to surgically remove the primary tumour after induction chemotherapy has been used to shrink it. If this happens, your child may need further chemotherapy or other treatments. 

Your medical team will carefully monitor your child’s response to each stage of treatment and will discuss the next steps with you at every point. If surgery isn’t possible, your child’s team will consider other options and tailor the treatment plan to their needs. 

If you are unsure about the treatment plan, you may wish to seek a second opinion. This can be done via the National Neuroblastoma Advisory Panel, which brings together leading clinicians from across the UK who specialise in neuroblastoma treatment. 

The panel holds regular meetings where individual cases are presented anonymously, alongside relevant scans and tumour genetic information. Each case is thoroughly reviewed, allowing experts to share their knowledge and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your child. You can ask your child’s consultant to be referred to this panel. 

Find out more about the National Neuroblastoma Advisory Panel.