Current Management of Neonatal Neuroblastoma

Neonatal neuroblastoma accounts for less than 5% of all cases of neuroblastoma but carries a favorable prognosis with most patients being stratified into low- or intermediate-risk groups for recurrence of disease. The epidemiology of neonatal (age less than 30 days) neuroblastoma contrasts greatly with patients older than 30 days. Owing to the unique potential for spontaneous regression of this tumor type, several groups have sought to reduce therapy given to neonates with neuroblastoma and use a watch-and-wait approach for many low-risk patients. Ongoing studies also seek to reduce therapy for some intermediate-risk patients in an attempt to lessen exposure to surgical intervention and cytotoxic chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, staging, and treatment for neonates with neuroblastoma.