Neuroblastoma: A clinical review.
1King Abdul Aziz Hospital & Oncology Center, PO Box 31467, Jeddah 21497, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fax. +966 (2) 6379442.
Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
|November 5, 2013
Summary
Children with advanced neuroblastoma benefit from intensive multimodal therapy, achieving symptom-free survival. Even partial responses to chemotherapy can lead to reasonable outcomes in disseminated neuroblastoma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Medical Oncology
Background:
- Neuroblastoma, a common childhood cancer, presents challenges in advanced stages.
- The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of myeloablative therapy for stage IV neuroblastoma remain debated.
- Investigating treatment outcomes for disseminated neuroblastoma is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze treatment results in 43 children with neuroblastoma.
- To evaluate remission rates and duration in patients with disseminated neuroblastoma.
- To assess the impact of intensive multimodal therapy on advanced neuroblastoma.
Main Methods:
- Surgical tumor removal followed by chemotherapy for unresectable residual disease and metastases.
- Alternating combination chemotherapy regimens including Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Cis-platinum, and Etoposide.
- Second look surgery for residual masses rendered resectable by chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients (70%) presented with disseminated disease (Stage III/IV).
- In stage IV patients, 4 achieved complete remission, 7 very good partial remission, and 8 partial remission by 6 months.
- Twenty-one patients (78%) were symptom-free, with some maintaining remission for over 18 months.
Conclusions:
- Intensive multimodal therapy is recommended for children with neuroblastoma, including advanced stages.
- Even partial responses to chemotherapy can lead to favorable outcomes.
- Patients may achieve reasonable symptom-free and sometimes disease-free survival.
