Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026
A Neonatal Intravenous Transplant Model for Assessment of Early-Life Immune Activities Against Cancer Cells
Published on: June 26, 2026
Solid tumors in the neonatal period
Münevver Büyükpamukçu1, Ali Varan, Cahit Tanyel
1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hacettepe University, Institute of Oncology, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Infants diagnosed with solid tumors within the first 28 days of life have a significantly worse prognosis. Early diagnosis of neonatal tumors is critical for improving survival rates in these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Solid tumors presenting in infancy are rare but can have severe outcomes.
- Understanding the differences in tumor types and prognoses between early-onset (neonatal) and later-onset infant tumors is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical features and prognosis of solid tumors diagnosed within the first 28 days of life versus those diagnosed after 28 days in infancy.
- To identify specific tumor types prevalent in each group and their associated survival rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 123 patients with solid tumors diagnosed between 1972 and 2000.
- Categorization of patients into two groups: diagnosed within the first 28 days (Group 1) and diagnosed after 28 days (Group 2).
- Analysis of tumor types, presenting symptoms, malignancy rates, and survival outcomes (overall and event-free survival).
Main Results:
- Group 1 (diagnosed within 28 days) had 55 patients, with 85.5% showing symptoms on day 1. Group 2 (diagnosed after 28 days) had 68 patients, with 77.9% showing symptoms on day 1.
- Common tumors included teratoma and neuroblastoma in both groups. Group 1 had 22 malignant tumors, while Group 2 had 44.
- Overall survival was significantly lower in Group 1 (24.9%) compared to Group 2 (51.6%) (p=0.015). Event-free survival was also worse in Group 1 (14.7%) versus Group 2 (47.7%) (p=0.0063).
Conclusions:
- Solid tumors diagnosed within the first 28 days of life carry a poorer prognosis than those diagnosed later in infancy.
- This study highlights the critical need for early detection and tailored treatment strategies for neonatal solid tumors.
Abstract:
From 1972 to 2000, 123 patients with solid tumors whose complaints had started in the first 28 days of life were retrospectively evaluated. Fifty-five patients were diagnosed in the first 28 days and 68 patients were diagnosed after 28 days. In the former group, 85.5% of patients had symptoms in the first day of life. In the latter group, 77.9% had the onset of symptoms in the first day. Tumor subgroups in the neonatal period included teratoma (34), neuroblastoma (11), rhabdomyosarcoma (3), Wilms tumor (1), and retinoblastoma (3), and the others (3). Three patients had other, less common tumors. In the second group the numbers were the following: for teratoma (32), neuroblastoma (15), germ cell tumors other than teratomas (8), rhabdomyosarcomas (4), the other soft tissue sarcomas (3), Wilms tumor (1), retinoblastoma (1), and other, rare tumors (4). There were 22 malignant tumors in the first group, and 44 in the second group. Fourteen patients in the first group died in the early postoperative period or with progressive disease. Nineteen of 44 patients died in the second group. Overall survival rates were 24.9% and 51.6% in first and second groups, respectively (p = 0.015). Event-free survival rates were 14.7% and 47.7% in these groups, respectively (p = 0.0063). This is the first report comparing clinical features and prognosis of tumors diagnosed in the first 28 days of the life with those diagnosed after 28 days. The prognosis was worse in infants diagnosed in the first 28 days of life.
