Welcome to
Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreMIBG stands for meta-iodobenzylguanidine. It is a molecule absorbed by some types of tumors, particularly neuroblastoma.
An MIBG scan is a test that helps locate and diagnose tumors. It can show neuroblastoma inside the body. This test can show when cancer has spread to the bone and other organs. It can also show when cancer responds to therapy.
MIBG scan of pediatric neuroblastoma patient
The test takes place over 2 days. Your child does not have to be admitted into the hospital for the test.
Tell your child’s treatment team about:
Arrive a few minutes early to check in. You may be asked to sign a consent form. It states that you understand the benefits and risks of the scan and agree to have the test.
When your child is called back, a nurse or nuclear medicine technologist will greet you and explain what will happen. A child life specialist may be there as well.
A nurse or technologist will inject the tracer through an IV. After the injection, the IV will be removed. Then you and your child may leave the area and resume normal activities.
Pregnant women should not have direct contact with the patient for 12 hours after the MIBG injection, or until instructed by the nuclear medicine staff.
Your child should wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave jewelry and metal objects at home. Your child may need to wear a hospital gown.
Arrive a few minutes early to check in. When your child is called, the staff will again greet you and explain what will happen. A child life specialist may be there as well.
Your child will lie on the scanner table. A gamma camera will take pictures that will help the doctors see if there is cancer and if it has spread to bones or other parts of the body.
Receiving the results of an MIBG scan
A nuclear medicine physician will look at the scan. This doctor will prepare a report and share it with the doctor who ordered the test.
Your child’s oncologist will share the results with you.
—
Together does not endorse any branded product mentioned in this article.
—
Reviewed: September 2022