[Neuroblastoma in Costa Rica: the experience with 76 cases treated at the Hospital Nacional de Niños]

Between 1970 an 1988, 76 patients with neuroblastoma (39 males and 37 females) were treated at the National Children's Hospital. The children's ages ranged from 1 month to 10 years. The location of the neuroblastoma was retroperitoneal in 71% of the cases, mediastinal in 20%, in either the head or neck 4% and unknown in 5%. Twelve percent were classified as E I-II, 35% in E III, 50% in E IV and 3% in E IVS. Seventy-seven percent of the cases died and the remaining 33% are in remission, with a follow-up of 12 to 220 months. Fifty of the cases were histologically reclassified according to Shimada. Survival rates were correlated with age, histology, E classification and treatment, in order to establish prognostic factors in relation to the disease: children under 24 months have a survival rate of 43%, statistically greater than in those children older who have an 8% survival rate. Shimada's classification is useful in predicting the child's survival when under 18 months of age and with tumors with a low ICM (81% survival) and a high ICM (6%). Patients classified as E I-II have a survival rate of 74%, those in E III-38% and in E IV-4%. In relation to the chemotherapy, a ten year survival is thought to be 14% for the 22 cases in E III and IV who were given medication and 21% for the other 36 who were given three drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)