Neuroblastoma in patients under 18 months. Single institution experience in Argentina

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcome of patients under 18 months diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Between April 2006 and December 2013, 45 consecutive patients followed in Hospital de Pediatría Garrahan, were retrospectively reviewed. With a median age of 9.3 months (1-18 months) N-myc amplification was detected in 5 out of 38 patients, 1p deletion (del1p) in 4 patients, and 11q aberration in one patient. With a median follow-up of 53 (range: 6-109 months), at 24 months the event free survival (EFS) of all patients was 83% (SE 6%) and overall survival (OS) of 88% (SE 5%). Significant difference was found in OS and EFS between patients with stages L1, L2 and Ms vs. stage M (p = 0.01 and p = 0.01 respectively). EFS for each stage: L1 85% (SE 7%), L2 100%, MS 100%, vs. M 55% (SE 16%). OS: L1 90% (SE 6%), L2 100%, MS 100%, vs. M 66% (SE 15%). OS and EFS results are similar to those reported in international studies. However, better identification of biological prognostic factors will warr ant accurate staging and consequently an appropriate treatment.