Best Doctors in India for Neuroblastoma Treatment
- Neurologist
- Over 20 years' of experience
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Praveen Gupta is one of India’s top Neurologists, who is currently serving as the Principal Director & Unit Head of Neurology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
- Over the course of his 23-years career, Dr. Gupta has made a lasting impact on the field of neurological treatment.
- Among his many firsts, Dr. Gupta founded the first-ever stroke centre in Gurugram and pioneered the use of single-arm mechanical thrombolysis, which completely changed the way strokes are treated in the area.
- He also pioneered Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatments for Epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, raising the bar for neurological care.
- Top Neurologist | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 15+ Years Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Puneet Agarwal is one of the renowned neurologists in India known for his outstanding performance in the field of neuroscience.
- He is considered to be one of the first few doctors to successfully complete the Inflammatory Genes study in stroke patients.
- Dr. Agarwal is highly experienced in the Management of Parkinson’s disease, Deep Brain Stimulation, and is currently functioning as the Director of the Neurology Department of Stroke and Dementia at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket in New Delhi.
- Top Neurologist | Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India
- 13+ Years Experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Mukesh Kumar is a highly accomplished neurologist currently affiliated with Max Healthcare. He specializes in a range of neurological disorders and has made significant contributions in his field.
- His expertise spans across various areas, including Deep Brain Stimulation, Movement Disorders, Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson’s Disease, etc.
- Additionally, Dr. Mukesh Kumar holds an impressive academic record. He received his MBBS and MD (Medicine) degree from IMS, BHU, Varanasi, followed by DNB (Medicine) and DM (Neurology) from AIIMS, New Delhi.
- Neurologist, Gurugram, India
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Sumit Singh is a well known Neurologist in India currently associated with Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon as the Chief of the department of Neurology.
- He has an experience of over 20 years and specializes in the treatment and management of headache and movement disorders.
- He is the first Neurologist in India to introduce BT for the treatment of headache in 2002 and also used it for trigeminal neuralgia treatment.
- He has years of knowledge and experience in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders and is one of the best neurologists for the management of patients who have undergone Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
- Dr. Singh is known to be the best for the planning and management of patients with Parkinson’s disease. He also provides treatment for patients suffering from Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis and Polymyositis.
- Neurologist, Chennai, India
- Over 25 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. S. Yogaraj is an experienced Neurologist in India, having over 25 years of experience in the field.
- He specializes in treating emergency neurology conditions like stroke, neuromuscular disorders, CNS infections, Peripheral Nerve issues, etc.
- Dr. Yogaraj is also instrumental in designing, implementing, and reporting electrophysiological training. He trained physicians, neurologists, and paramedical staff.
- Top Neurologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 26+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Anoop Kohli is one of the well-known Neurologists in India, having 26 years of clinical experience.
- He is interested in the treatment of Migraine, Brain Haemorrhage, Paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Paraplegia, Fits, and Meningitis.
- Dr. Kohli is currently a Senior Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, and a pioneer, who first devised an intravenous thrombolytic treatment and developed the first Trans-Cranial Doppler Lab of India at Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.
- Dr. Anoop Kohli is also proficient in research. He has contributed 40 publications to various national and international journals.
- Top Neurologist | Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
- 27+ Years Experience
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Mukul Varma is one of the best Neurologists in India, specialized in treating brain and spine disorders. With over 27 years of experience, the doctor has expertise in Parkinson’s disease, Speech and movement disorder, headache, and multiple sclerosis treatment.
- He is working as a senior consultant Neurologist with the prestigious Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
- Dr. Varma is excellent at diagnosing and providing holistic treatment for meningitis, brain stroke, epilepsy, brain cancer, and many others. The doctor also performs stereotactic procedures for Brachial Plexus injuries.
- He has contributed 20 literary works to medical journals of national and international repute.
- Neurologist, Chennai, India
- Over 34 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Dhanaraj M is a recognized neurologist in India, currently practicing as a Senior Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Hospital, Greams Road, Chennai.
- He has dedicated 35+ years to managing neuromuscular and neurological disorders and academics. He is proficient in treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Meningitis, Meniere’s Disease, Brain infections, and Light-headedness.
- As an experienced neurologist, he conducts a range of procedures such as EEG for brain activity monitoring, Nerve Conduction Studies to evaluate nerve function, Lumbar Puncture for cerebrospinal fluid testing, MRI for detailed brain imaging, and EMG to assess muscle health.
- Neurologist, Chennai, India
- Over 34 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Geetha Lakshmipathy is a highly regarded neurologist with over 34 years of experience. Her experience stretches across academic, research, clinical, and administrative work.
- She is currently working with Apollo Hospital, Chennai as a Senior Consultant Neurologist following her retirement from Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital.
- Dr. Lakshmipathy specializes in treating a wide range of neurological conditions, including Neurological Dysfunction, Neuromuscular Disorders, Brain Aneurysm Surgery, and VP Shunt placement.
- Neurologist, Chennai, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
- Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Rajendran S is a highly respected neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road in Chennai, with over three decades of experience.
- Dr. Rajendran is known for his personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs, utilizing specialized diagnostic tools like polysomnography.
- Specializing in Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, epilepsy, BT treatments for movement and headache disorders, and employing advanced electrophysiology techniques, he is sought after for his expertise.
- Dr. Rajendran holds specialized training as a neuropsychiatrist from the United Kingdom and is a distinguished member of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Best Hospitals in India for Neuroblastoma Treatment
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- One of India’s best and largest multi-specialty hospitals, Medanta was built with the aim to bring India to the highest standards of medical care. The hospital has been providing the best medical services to its patients, since its inception, with care, commitment, and compassion.
- Equipped with 1250 beds, the hospital was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan in the year 2009 with an aim to provide the best medical care at affordable costs. The hospital is spread across 43 acres and includes 45 operation theatres and 350 beds dedicated solely to ICU. The hospital includes over 800 doctors, and more than 22 specialty departments and has a dedicated floor for individual specialty in order to offer the best services under one roof.
- The hospital is considered one of the premier institutes in India for Cardiac Care and includes staffs and members of high caliber. The hospital has 6 distinct centers of excellence.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Artemis Hospital, established in 2007 in Gurugram, India, is a leading multi-specialty institution known for its excellence in patient care and advanced medical technology, offering comprehensive services across specialties like Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics etc.
- Renowned for its patient-focused care, Artemis Hospital combines state-of-the-art infrastructure with a team of internationally trained doctors and surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of medical treatment.
- Accredited by JCI and NABH, Artemis Hospital meets global healthcare quality and safety standards, reflecting its commitment to providing compassionate, personalized care.
- The hospital is recognized for utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic and ther*peutic techniques, ensuring patients receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatments tailored to their needs.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai is the most sought-after private cancer hospital in India. It is an integrated facility that provides cutting-edge, all inclusive cancer treatment to patients all over the globe.
- The hospital is a part of the renowned Apollo Group which has a large network of over 74 hospitals in India and across the globe. Out of the 74 hospitals, 21 of them are cancer centres. However, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is the only cancer hospital to have JCI accreditation.
- The Centre, which was established on the principles of excellence and expertise, unites a formidable medical staff led by some of the most illustrious figures in cancer treatment.
- The hospital follows the global ASTRO Model Policy. It is the same global policy which is followed by countries like USA, UK, and Europe.
- Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is among the very few hospitals in India to receive patients from First World countries such as USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, etc.
- Apart from that, it is also the first hospital in Chennai to receive patients from several countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan), South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, etc.
- In fact, there is a dedicated team at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre that serves only international patients. Thus, on a monthly basis, the Centre receives patients from across 32 countries.
- Moreover, there are certain treatments in Apollo Proton Cancer Centre that are not available in any other centre. APCC addresses all types of possible cancers that are usually not covered by any other centre.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
- The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
- Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) is a premier multi-super-specialty, quaternary care hospital, known for its exceptional international faculty, top-tier clinicians, super-sub-specialists, and specialized nurses, all supported by cutting-edge technology.
- It is the flaship hospital of Fortis Healthcare Limited, part of IHH Healthcare Berhad, a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. As one of the country’s largest healthcare organizations, Fortis operates 28 healthcare facilities with over 4,500 operational beds (including O&M facilities) and more than 400 diagnostic centers (including joint ventures).
- Recognized as one of the top hospitals in India, FMRI serves as a leading referral center and aspires to be the ‘Mecca of Healthcare’ for India and beyond. Its 11-acre campus is a testament to its commitment to providing world-class healthcare.
- Accredited by JCI and NABH, FMRI is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care. The hospital’s reputation is further enhanced by its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative medical practices.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- The Indian Spinal Injuries Center (ISIC), provides state-of-the-art facilities for the management of all types of spinal ailments.
- Staffed with internationally trained, acclaimed, and dedicated spine surgeons, the hospital provides cutting-edge medical & surgical technology. The hospital provides comprehensive management of spinal injury, back pain, spinal deformities, tumors, osteoporosis, etc.
- The hospital performs motion-preserving spine surgeries including disc replacement and dynamic fixation, and minimally invasive spine surgeries such as endoscopic disc excision.
- The orthopedic service of the hospital covers all orthopedic ailments including trauma, joint diseases & replacements, oncology, pediatric orthopedics & upper limb ailment.
- City: Faridabad
Hospital Highlights:
In the sprawling city of Faridabad, where healthcare needs are diverse and ever-evolving, one institution has consistently stood out as a beacon of excellence in the field of medicine—Marengo Asia Hospital. Established with a vision to provide world-class healthcare services to the community it serves, Marengo Asia Hospital has emerged as a trusted name synonymous with quality, compassion, and innovation in healthcare.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is a 700-bedded multispecialty hospital in the heart of the capital of India. It is a part of Apollo Hospital group, one of India’s most reputed healthcare chains. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has been accredited by Joint Commission International, making it the first internationally accredited hospital in the country in 2005.
- There are 52 specialties in the hospital with one of the best cardiology centers in the country. The hospital is also equipped with State of the art infrastructure facilities with the largest Sleep Lab in Asia and the largest number of ICU bed facilities in India.
- The latest and highly advanced technologies that are installed in the hospital include Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, PET-MR, PET-CT, Cobalt-based HDR, Brain Lab Navigation System, Tilting MRI, Portable CT scanner, 3 Tesla MRI, 128 Slice CT scanner, DSA Lab, Endosonography, Hyperbaric Chamber and Fibro scan.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- One of the well-regarded providers in India committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient care, Max Super Specialty Hospital is a part of Max Healthcare, which is the second-largest healthcare chain in India. Regarded as one of the most well-regarded healthcare providers in the country, Max Super Specialty Hospital is committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence as well as patient care. The hospital is also equipped with the latest technology as well as cutting-edge research. The hospital is known to deliver and ensure the highest level of patient care.
- The hospital has more than 500 beds and offers treatment for over 35 specialties. The hospital also holds the credit of having installed the first Brain Suite in Asia. This is a highly advanced Neurosurgical machine that allows MRI to be taken while surgery is ongoing.
- Other advanced and latest technologies are also installed in the hospital such as the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, 64 Slice CT Angiography, 4D ECHO, LINAC, and 3.5T MRI machine.
- City: Kolkata, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Founded in 2017, the HCG EKO Cancer Centre is a committed, all-inclusive cancer care facility in Kolkata.
- The hospital was collaboratively established by India’s leading cancer care provider HCG (HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.), and EKO Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., a top diagnostic and imaging chain in Eastern India.
- With 88 beds, the hospital provides a full spectrum of services including diagnosis, prevention, screening, second opinions, treatment, rehabilitation, follow-up, and palliative care.
- Additionally, the hospital contains a day-care chemotherapy ward, Neutropenic ward, medical ICU, pharmacy, blood bank, and an IPD wing.
- At HCG EKO Cancer Centre Kolkata, a large team of cancer experts with experience in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, hemato oncology, BMT, and nuclear medicine collaborate to offer a variety of treatment options under one roof.
- Furthermore, the hospital is also known for employing the most advanced radiation technology such as, the Radixact, a next-generation TomoTherapy equipment that provides greater radiation delivery precision.
Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that is caused by immature nerve cells that are found in different areas of the body. This condition commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands. However, it may also occur in other areas of the abdomen as well as in the chest, neck, and near the spine, where groups of nerve cells exist.
Commonly neuroblastoma affects children who are five years of age or younger, but it sometimes occurs in older children as well.
Certain forms of neuroblastoma disappear on their own, but others may require multiple treatments. Treatments generally depend on several factors.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma can vary depending on the part of the body being affected.
Neuroblastoma in the abdomen: The most common form of neuroblastoma is neuroblastoma in the abdomen, which can cause signs and symptoms such as-
- Abdominal Pain
- A mass under the skin which isn’t tender when touched
- Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
Neuroblastoma in the chest: This causes signs and symptoms such as –
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Changes to the eyes; this can include drooping eyelids and unequal pupil size
Other signs and symptoms that might indicate neuroblastoma include the following-
- Lumps of tissue under the skin
- Eyeballs that seem to protrude from the sockets
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dark circles, similar to bruises, around the eyes
- Back pain
- Bone pain
If your child is showing any signs and symptoms that you find worrisome, then you need to consider seeing your doctor.
Causes & risk factors
Cancer generally begins with a genetic mutation that allows normal and healthy cells to continue growing without responding to the signals to stop, which normal cells do. Cancer cells continue to grow, eventually multiplying out of control. The accumulating abnormal cells eventually end up forming a mass or a tumor.
Neuroblastoma begins in neuroblasts, which are immature nerve cells that form on a fetus as part of its development process. As the fetus matures, neuroblasts turn into nerve cells and fibers as well as the cells making up the adrenal glands. Most neuroblasts mature by birth, but sometimes a small number of immature neuroblasts are found in newborns. In most cases, these neuroblasts mature or eventually disappear within some time. Others, however, form a tumor, which is termed neuroblastoma.
The initial genetic mutation that leads to neuroblastoma is still unknown.
Several lifestyle factors like body weight, physical activity, diet, and tobacco use are known to play a major role in several types of cancers. These factors, however, take many years to influence cancer risk, and therefore, they are not considered to play much of a role in childhood cancers, like neuroblastomas.
There are also no environmental factors are known to increase the chance of getting neuroblastoma.
Children who have the familial form of neuroblastoma, usually come from families having one or more members who have had neuroblastoma as infants.
Children having familial neuroblastoma can sometimes develop two or more of these cancers in different organs. For example, they can develop it in both adrenal glands or in more than one sympathetic ganglion.
According to certain studies, children with birth defects might have an increased risk of developing neuroblastoma. It is possible that some of the links between birth defects and neuroblastoma might be related to changes in genes that happen during fetal development.
Diagnosis
For the diagnosis of neuroblastoma, your doctor might use the following tests and procedures-
Physical Exam
Your child’s doctor will most likely conduct a physical exam for checking any signs or symptoms. You will also be asked questions about your child’s habits and behaviors.
Urine and Blood Tests
These can help to indicate the cause of any signs or symptoms that your child is experiencing.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests such as CT scan, X-RAY, MRI, or MIBG scan can help to reveal a mass which can indicate a tumor.
Biopsy
If a mass is found, your child’s doctor is likely going to remove a sample of the tissue for laboratory testing. This is known as a biopsy.
Removing a sample of bone marrow for testing
Your child might also need to undergo bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration procedures, as this can help to see if the cancer has spread to the bone marrow.
Once the neuroblastoma has been diagnosed, your doctor might need to do further testing to determine the extent of the cancer and to see how far it has spread.
The stages are indicated from O to IV. The lower the stage is, the less severe the cancer is. By stage IV, the cancer is considered to be advanced and have spread to other areas of the body.
Treatment
Your child’s doctor is going to select the treatment plan based on several factors. Factors can include the age of your child, the stage of your cancer, the type of cells involved in the cancer, and whether there are any abnormalities in the chromosomes and genes.
Treatment options can include any of the following:
Surgery
Surgery involves surgeons removing cancer cells surgically, with the help of scalpels and other tools. In children with low-risk neuroblastoma, surgery to remove the tumor is usually the only treatment needed.
Whether your doctor can remove the tumor completely, depends on the location and size of the tumor. Tumors that are attached to nearby vital organs, like the lungs or the spinal cord, might be too risky to remove.
If the neuroblastoma is intermediate or severe, surgeons generally try to remove as much of the tumor surgically, after which other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation might be used to kill the other remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
This treatment involves using chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Unfortunately, this treatment also damages healthy cells, which can include the cells in the hair follicles and in the gastrointestinal system, which can cause side effects.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, in order to destroy cancer cells. Children with low-risk or intermediate-risk neuroblastoma might go for this treatment. It is generally considered if surgery and chemotherapy are unsuccessful. Children having severe neuroblastoma might also need radiation therapy after chemotherapy and surgery to prevent the cancer from occurring again.
However, it is important to note that though radiation therapy affects the area where it is aimed, some healthy cells may be damaged by the radiation as well.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment method that uses drugs that work by signaling your body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
BMT
Children suffering from severe neuroblastoma might need to receive a transplant using stem cells collected from bone marrow
Before BMT, which is also known as stem cell transplant, the child will need to undergo a procedure that filters and collects stem cells from his/her blood. The stem cells are stored for later use. Then high doses of chemotherapy are administered to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body. The child’s stem cells are then injected into your body, where they are now able to form new, healthy blood cells.
Complications
Neuroblastoma can lead to the following complications:
Spread of cancer – Neuroblastoma can spread or metastasize to different parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow, skin, and bones.
Spinal Cord Compression – Tumors can grow and press on the spinal cord, which can cause spinal cord compression, which may further lead to pain or even paralysis.