Complications can arise as a result of surgery, such as Horner syndrome, but this is often as a result of aggressive attempts to remove an abdominal tumor when the child is first diagnosed. Radiotherapy Neuroblastoma is considered to be sensitive to radiation therapy 43 . Doses generally range from 15 to 30 Gy, taking into consideration such factors as tumor size and location, as well as the age of the child. Radiotherapy also plays an important role in palliation. Several institutions are now using transplantation as the treatment of choice for high-risk neuroblastoma 44 .
Preparative regimens vary with protocol.
Melphalan is often used as a conditioning agent. Biologically Based Therapies Monoclonal antibodies that target the GD2 ganglioside are currently in use 45 . Some researchers are investigating immunotherapy approaches, such as interleukin-2, as a method of treating neuroblastoma. Also, deferoxamine, an iron chelator, is being investigated 47 . MIBG has been used as a therapeutic agent in addition to its use as a diagnostic tool 48 .