Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of immature sympathetic nerve cells, often arising in or near an adrenal gland. Its behavior ranges from tumors that can regress to high-risk metastatic disease, so treatment is strongly risk-adapted.
Other names and abbreviations
high-risk neuroblastoma, NB, neuroblastic tumor, Neuroblastic tumour, peripheral neuroblastic tumour
In short
- Neuroblastoma is a cancer of immature nerve cells, often starting in or near an adrenal gland, and it mainly affects babies and young children.
- Lower-risk tumors may be watched or treated with surgery or chemotherapy, while high-risk treatment commonly has several steps, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and immunotherapy.
- For eligible children with high-risk disease, high-dose chemotherapy followed by a return of the child's own stem cells is an established step, so a donor is not normally needed.
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Underlined words open a short explanation. See all terms
Where transplant fits
For eligible children with high-risk neuroblastoma, Very strong drug treatment given in large doses, often to kill cancer cells. It also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other serious side effects. A stem cell transplant usually follows to rebuild the marrow. with Coming from the patient's own body. In an autologous transplant, the patient's own stem cells are collected and stored, then given back after high-dose treatment. It does not use a donor. is an established part of multimodal treatment. It may involve more than one planned autologous procedure. The The blood-forming stem cells given to a patient in a transplant. In a donor transplant, the graft comes from the donor's bone marrow or blood, or from donated cord blood. uses the child’s collected cells; a registry donor is not normally needed.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health.
Key facts
- Who it affects
- Neuroblastoma mainly affects infants and young children.
- Usual treatment
- Lower-risk disease may be observed or treated with surgery and/or chemotherapy. High-risk treatment commonly includes induction chemotherapy, surgery, high-dose consolidation, radiation, anti-GD2 immunotherapy and differentiation therapy.
- Cells used in a transplant
- The patient’s own collected blood-forming cells for autologous stem cell rescue, when that procedure is appropriate.
- Where a donor fits
- Usually the person’s own cells
What a transplant involves
- Step 1
: Collecting the person’s own cells
Medicines move stem cells out of the marrow and into the blood. The cells are then collected and frozen.
- Step 2
: High-dose treatment
The person receives strong treatment, usually high-dose chemotherapy.
- Step 3
: Cells returned, Day 0
The stored cells are thawed and given back through a vein, like a transfusion.
- Step 4
: Blood counts recover
The returned cells settle in the marrow and start making blood cells again.
- Step 5
: Follow-up
The care team keeps checking recovery and watches for infection and for the condition coming back.
Highlighted here: the person’s own cells.
The person’s own cells
Autologous transplant, no donor
Collected from the person before treatment, then given back.
A relative
Donor transplant (allogeneic)
A brother or sister may be a full match. Parents and children can be half-matched donors.
An unrelated volunteer
Donor transplant (allogeneic)
Found through a donor registry.
Donated cord blood
Donor transplant (allogeneic)
Collected from a baby’s umbilical cord after birth and stored in a public bank.
Support for patients and families
These independent organizations offer information and support. JBF is not affiliated with them.
- Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation Parent-focused handbooks, educational videos and treatment information to help families navigate a child's neuroblastoma diagnosis.United States
- Solving Kids' Cancer UK Family support led by professionals who have cared for a child with neuroblastoma, from diagnosis through treatment and bereavement.United Kingdom
- Childhood Cancer International Global network of childhood cancer parent and survivor groups; its member directory helps families find support in their own country.Worldwide
How a transplant using your own cells works
Questions to bring to your care team
- What is the exact name of the diagnosis or subtype, and what does it mean for treatment?
- What is the goal of each treatment you are suggesting?
- If a transplant is suggested, will it use my own cells? What happens before and after?
- How does a transplant compare with the other treatments on offer?
- Where can our family find support during treatment?
Sources and further reading
- Neuroblastoma Treatment (PDQ)
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T: 2025 EBMT practice recommendations
EBMT / Bone Marrow Transplantation, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants for Cancer
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05
Other patients are waiting for a match.
Most people with neuroblastoma are treated without a registry donor. Many people with other blood cancers and blood disorders need a donor who is a stranger.
Join the registry
JBF points you to the official registry that serves your country. It explains who can join and what donation involves.
Help a family run a drive
If someone you love needs a donor, a registration drive can add many potential donors at once, for them and for others.
Support this work
Gifts to the Jada Bascom Foundation support donor-awareness education like this guide, community outreach, drive planning and referrals to official registries.
