Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) is a rare type of cancer that affects the lungs in children. This cancer affects the ‘pleura’, which are the coverings of the lungs. There are three subtypes of this cancer, namely, PPB I, PPB II, and PPB III. This form of cancer mostly affects children who are between the ages of 7 to 8 years. PPB very rarely impacts teenagers or adults. The article below takes a look at a few different lung cancer treatments that can be used to treat pleuropulmonary blastoma:

1. Surgery
Surgery is usually the first step to treat PPB. It is employed in the treatment of all types of PPB including I, II, and III. In a surgical procedure, the operating oncologist works to remove the cancerous tumor. Along with the tumor, some healthy tissue also gets removed. If the cancer is too advanced, then the oncologist may recommend some rounds of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor before the surgery, and then remove it. This is known as preoperative chemotherapy. The doctor will discuss any and all side-effects of lung cancer treatments via surgery before going ahead with the procedure.

2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is frequently used as a form of treatment for childhood tumors. In chemotherapy, certain drugs are administered to the patient in order to reduce the growth rate of cancer cells by destroying the existing malignant cells. Chemotherapy is safe and can even be administered to infants in cases where required.
Lung cancer treatments by way of chemotherapy may involve the use of a single drug or a combination of multiple treatment drugs. This varies between patients. Children with type I PPB may receive chemotherapy after surgery. However, for Types II and III, chemotherapy is an absolute must. Chemotherapy may be administered before the surgery, after the surgery, or even both times. There may be certain side-effects such as hair loss and nausea. The doctor and the entire multidisciplinary team will discuss these with the patient beforehand. Side-effects go away soon as the treatment is stopped.

3. Radiation therapy
This involves the use of X-ray and other high-energy particle treatments in order to kill the tumors. This treatment is administered by a radiation oncologist. Radiation therapy can be done externally through a radiation machine or given internally through implants.
Radiation therapy is usually recommended only if surgery and chemotherapy fail to treat the cancer cells. Thus, not every child with pleuropulmonary blastoma will require radiation therapy. There are certain side-effects to this treatment. These include loose motions, fatigue, and mild outbreaks on the skin. Just like with chemotherapy, the side-effects go away once the treatment stops. Certain studies do indicate that radiation therapy can impact a child’s bone health, so make sure to discuss this with the doctor before starting the treatment.

4. Additional support services
Getting treated for cancer is physically and emotionally stressful for the parents and the child. Most cancer hospitals offer additional support, such as the services of nutritionists and counselors, to help one cope with the entire duration of the treatment.