What is the treatment for low‑risk neuroblastoma? 

Low‑risk neuroblastoma often needs very little treatment. The best plan for your child depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, tumour biology, where the tumour is located, and your child’s age. Your child’s treatment team will explain what this means for your child’s specific situation. 

Observation (‘watch and wait’) 

For some children, especially babies and very young children, low‑risk neuroblastoma can shrink or disappear on its own without any treatment. In these situations, the safest option may be close monitoring. This usually involves regular scans and check‑ups to make sure the tumour is continuing to improve and not causing symptoms. 

Observation does not mean doing nothing - it is an active, carefully monitored approach based on strong evidence. 

Surgery 

If the tumour is causing symptoms, or if test results suggest it is less likely to resolve on its own, your child may need surgery.

A specialist surgeon will remove as much of the tumour as safely possible. In many low‑risk cases, surgery alone is enough to cure the disease. 

Read more about surgery for neuroblastoma. 

Chemotherapy (in some cases) 

A small number of children with low‑risk neuroblastoma need chemotherapy, typically if: 

• the tumour cannot be fully removed with surgery 

• the tumour is in a location that makes surgery too risky 

• the tumour is growing or causing symptoms 

• certain biological features make the cancer behave differently 

When chemotherapy is used for low‑risk disease, it is generally shorter and gentler than treatment for intermediate risk or high‑risk neuroblastoma. 

Read more about chemotherapy for neuroblastoma.

Why treatment varies between children 

Even within the low‑risk group, neuroblastoma tumours can have different features and behave in different ways. This means your child’s plan may not look exactly the same as another child’s and that is expected. Your child’s treatment team will always recommend the safest and most effective approach for your child. 

How difficult is treatment for low‑risk disease? 

Most children tolerate treatment for low‑risk disease very well. Side effects are usually mild compared with more intensive treatment groups. If your child does need surgery or chemotherapy, the team will monitor them closely and manage any symptoms. 

Read more about the side effects of treatment for neuroblastoma.

If you ever have questions or worries, you can speak to your child’s treatment team.