Skivolo is a young red panda who has high-risk neuroblastoma. He has many questions about neuroblastoma, such as "Why am I sick?", "Did I get cancer because I was bad?", and "Can I play with other kids when I go to the hospital?"
Skivolo’s family, doctor, and nurse try to answer his questions about staying in the hospital, as well as about the tests and medicines he will have.
You and your child can learn about high-risk neuroblastoma and follow Skivolo on his adventures using the resources on this site.
The app lets your child color lots of different scenes that show Skivolo going through his adventures. Your child can also create original drawings and save them to the camera roll on the iPad. Download the Color Skivolo's World app now!
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Diagnosis: Neuroblastoma is a cancer found in developing nerve cells, usually in children under 10 years of age. Almost 90% of cases are diagnosed by the age of 5. Different factors can affect the type of neuroblastoma a child has and their prognosis.
Low- or intermediate-risk neuroblastoma is often found in children who are younger than 18 months of age with localized neuroblastoma (this means cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body).
High-risk neuroblastoma can occur in children of different ages; usually high-risk disease is diagnosed in children aged 18 months or more. These children usually have metastatic disease (cancer that has spread to more than one spot in the body) and often have amplification (increased number) of the MYCN gene.
Tests: To find out what type of neuroblastoma a child has, there are several tests, including urine tests and blood tests. There are also imaging tests that help find the cancer and see what it looks like. Some imaging tests may be familiar, such as an x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan. Others may be new to you, such as an MRI, PET scan, bone scan, or MIBG scan.
Treatments: The treatment for low- and intermediate-risk neuroblastoma may include surgery, chemotherapy, and possibly radiation therapy.
To help your child understand what to expect if they have high-risk neuroblastoma, read The Big Adventures of Little Skivolo.
For children with high-risk neuroblastoma, the treatment is different.
Treatments may include
Some neuroblastoma cells may still remain in the body and cause the disease to come back (known as relapse).
To help your child understand what antibody therapy does, read The Next Big Adventure of Little Skivolo.
Dealing with neuroblastoma and its treatment is not easy. You may find helpful information in one of the storybooks about Skivolo, as well as in the Skivolo coloring and activity book.
The Big Adventures of Little Skivolo
The Big Adventures of Little Skivolo
The Big Adventures of Little Skivolo is a book written to describe what a child can expect when they are diagnosed with neuroblastoma. You can use this book to help explain what neuroblastoma is to your child. Skivolo learns about the different tests he will have in the hospital and the people in the healthcare team who look after him.
The Next Big Adventure of Little Skivolo
The Next Big Adventure of Little Skivolo
The Next Big Adventure of Little Skivolo is written to help young people understand antibody therapy for neuroblastoma. The book follows Skivolo as he begins antibody therapy and learns about what the medicine does inside his body to fight his cancer.
Little Skivolo’s Big Book of Fun
Little Skivolo’s Big Book of Fun
Download inEnglishLittle Skivolo’s Big Book of Fun is an activity and coloring book for patients and their siblings in the hospital. The coloring activities, games, crafts, and puzzles in this book can help to make the time in the hospital interesting and to bring enjoyment to your child, their siblings, and other children in the hospital.
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By reaching out to organizations and support groups, you can find parents who have traveled the neuroblastoma journey with their child. They may provide useful tips and information to help you navigate your own child’s treatment journey.
The Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation is a source of information and resources on neuroblastoma. You will find educational materials about neuroblastoma and treatment, news and events, and doctors and researchers who specialize in treating neuroblastoma. You will also be able to connect with other families who are going through a similar experience.
United Therapeutics Corporation is not affiliated with this organization.
This website is intended for informational purposes and is not intended as treatment advice. It is not meant to replace conversations with your child's healthcare team. You should reach out to them with any questions you have regarding your child's treatment. Your child's healthcare team is your main source of information about your child's care and treatment.