Neuroblastoma Surgery — Procedure Guide, Recovery & Risks | MyMedicPlus

Neuroblastoma surgery removes malignant tumours arising from neural crest cells, most often in the adrenal medulla or retroperitoneum. It is the most common extracranial solid tumour in infants and young children under five years.

Surgery is indicated for localised INRG L1/L2 risk neuroblastoma and as delayed primary surgery after induction chemotherapy reduces tumour bulk in intermediate- or high-risk disease to improve resectability.

Via open laparotomy or laparoscopy, surgeons excise the primary tumour, sample regional lymph nodes, and attempt complete gross resection while preserving adjacent major vessels, kidney, and contralateral adrenal gland.

Hospital stay is 5–10 days with gradual diet advancement. Most patients continue adjuvant chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy per risk group. Follow-up scans assess response every 3–6 months.

Risks include haemorrhage from great vessels, renal or ureteric injury, Horner syndrome, chylous ascites, and incomplete resection requiring further treatment. Multidisciplinary planning reduces major vascular injury risk.

Complete gross resection improves event-free survival across all risk groups. Low-risk disease achieves over 90% five-year survival; high-risk disease reaches 50–60% long-term survival with multimodal therapy.