What is MIBG infusion?
MIBG (meta-iodobenzylguanidine) is a molecule that doctors combine with low-dose radioactive iodine to look for neuroblastoma. After it’s injected into a patient, the MIBG is absorbed by neuroblastoma cells. Then, the patient lies on a table while a special camera or scanner moves over their body and takes pictures.
What does MIBG scan stand for?
An MIBG scan is a test that helps locate and diagnose certain types of tumors. It can also show when cancer responds to therapy. The letters MIBG stand for meta-iodobenzylguanidine. It is a molecule that is absorbed by some tumors, particularly neuroblastoma. The scan can show neuroblastoma inside the body.
Is MIBG a radiation?
131 I-MIBG is a type of internal radiotherapy. MIBG stands for Meta-Iodo-Benzyl-Guanidine. The treatment uses a radioactive form of iodine called iodine 131. The radioactive iodine circulates through your body in the bloodstream.
What should I avoid before MIBG scan?
The following list of drugs are some of the more commonly encountered medications in this group and should be withheld for 24 hours before the MIBG administration: opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, sympathicomimetics, amiodarone, reserpine, guanethidine, calcium channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors.
How does an MIBG scan work?
MIBG scans are helpful for locating both bone and soft tissue tumors. The test is performed by injecting a small amount of radioactive dye (tracer) through an IV. Pictures are then taken under a scanner that is similar to a CT scan. The scans may occur 24, 48, or 72 hours after the tracer is given.
Is MIBG scan safe?
What are the risks of an MIBG scan? Apart from the possibility of an increase in blood pressure, which is a relatively rare side-effect, there are no significant risks. Any increase in blood pressure usually resolves within 48 hours after the injection and rarely requires treatment.
Can neuroblastoma go away on its own?
Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children age 5 or younger, though it may rarely occur in older children. Some forms of neuroblastoma go away on their own, while others may require multiple treatments. Your child’s neuroblastoma treatment options will depend on several factors.
What is MIBG radiation therapy?
Using a compound called metaiodobenzylguanidine, MIBG treatment is a highly targeted radiation therapy. Given through an infusion, it can work to effectively kill cancer cells in patients battling neuroendocrine cancers. Patients who qualify for MIBG therapy are:
What are the advantages of MIBG?
The advantage to MIBG is that the radiation does not affect normal tissues to a great degree as it does given in the more traditional “external beam” method. Basically, it’s a way of targeting radiation therapy specifically to tumor cells by taking advantage of the fact that MIBG is not absorbed or used by any other cells in the body.
What are the side effects of MIBG therapy?
The good news is MIBG therapy typically has little to no side effects. Occasionally, patients experience nausea or high blood pressure, but these are easily treated and won’t be long-lasting. The most common side effect of MIBG therapy is low blood counts, which is also treatable and can occur within 2 to 3 weeks of the therapy.
When will my child be admitted for MIBG treatment?
Your child will be admitted the day before treatment to get used to the MIBG room and for our nurses to get to know him or her better. On the morning that MIBG is given, a urinary catheter will be placed to drain any urine that might contain radioactivity after the MIBG is given. This catheter will stay in place for approximately 3 – 4 days.