These factors will help your healthcare team determine if your child is classified as being in the low-, intermediate-, or high-risk group. Each stage and risk group is associated with a different treatment plan and prognosis. Your healthcare team will speak to you in detail about this.
n WHAT TESTS AND PROCEDURES WILL MY CHILD NEED? Many tests and procedures are necessary to diagnose neuroblastoma and determine the extent of your child’s disease. These tests will be repeated to evaluate your child’s response to treatment. Some of the tests and procedures may include the following:
CT Scan The CT (computerized or computed tomography) scan—which is less frequently referred to as a CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan—shows detailed pictures of internal organs and tumors. It is a computer-assisted X ray. The CT scan machine is a table surrounded by a doughnut-shaped X-ray camera. Every second, that camera moves a very small distance around the patient while taking an X ray. A computer puts these X rays together to help the doctors see a cross-sectional, 3-D image from all angles. CT scans are very useful in diagnosing tumors, infections, blood clots, and areas of abnormal bleeding. Certain tumors are regularly checked by CT scan during and after treatment to determine the effectiveness of treatment or if there is a relapse. It is a painless test, but the child must be able to lie still during the scan. Some children require sedation to help them lie still. If the child is having a CT scan of the belly, they will be asked to drink a special dye that improves the images created during the scan. Some children may require a small amount of dye to be injected through an intravenous (IV) line as well. If your child receives the dye into their vein, they may have a warm, flushing feeling. Generally, there are no side effects from either type of dye; however, allergic reactions are possible. There is some radiation exposure with this test. Your child’s healthcare team will try to minimize how often CT scans are done, but they are very helpful in diagnosing and following the stage and location of the cancer. MRI MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a test that uses radio waves and magnetic fields instead of X rays. A computer translates the pattern of radio waves into very detailed pictures of the inside of the body. MRI is sometimes more useful than X rays or CT scans because it can create clearer images. This is true with areas of the brain and spinal cord, blood vessels, bones, and some organs of the body. Certain tumors are regularly checked by MRI during and after treatment to determine the effectiveness of treatment or if there is a relapse.
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