Fewer Treatments For Infants With Cancer
05 Mar 2009 - Some infants diagnosed with a particular form of childhood cancer do not require intensive treatment and in some cases need no treatment at all in order to survive their cancer, known as “non MYCN amplified neuroblastoma”
Professor Andy Pearson at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has led two European trials.
“By limiting treatment we are significantly reducing the risks and side-effects for these very young patients while maintaining their likelihood of survival. In some cases, chemotherapy can cause children to feel tired, sick and the treatment makes it more likely they’ll pick up infections, so it’s important to avoid this where possible. Our current goal is to individualise or personalise treatment for children with neuroblastoma.”
In its aggressive form, neuroblastoma is a major cause of death from cancer for children.
