Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Three-Dimensional In Vitro Biomimetic Model of Neuroblastoma Using Collagen-Based Scaffolds
Published on: July 9, 2021
Comparison of stage IV and IV-S neuroblastoma in the first year of life
Insights
Stage IV-S neuroblastoma in infants under 12 months has a high survival rate (91% at 3 years), especially when diagnosed between 3-12 months. Stage IV neuroblastoma has a significantly lower survival rate (44% at 3 years).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is a common childhood cancer.
- Staging is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment.
- Distinguishing between stage IV-S and stage IV neuroblastoma is important for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinical staging and survival factors in infants with stage IV-S and stage IV neuroblastoma.
- To compare survival rates between stage IV-S and stage IV neuroblastoma.
- To assess the impact of age at diagnosis on survival in stage IV-S neuroblastoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 88 patients (44 stage IV-S, 44 stage IV) diagnosed between 0-12 months.
- Data collected from Children's Cancer Study Group (CCSG) institutions (1972-1979).
- Life-table survival analysis for projected 3-year survival rates.
Main Results:
- Projected 3-year survival was 91% for stage IV-S and 44% for stage IV.
- Stage IV-S patients diagnosed between 3-12 months had 97% disease-free survival.
- Deaths in stage IV-S occurred only in infants diagnosed before 2 months.
- Chemotherapy or radiation did not improve stage IV-S survival.
Conclusions:
- Significant clinical and biological differences exist between stage IV-S and stage IV neuroblastoma.
- Stage IV-S neuroblastoma, particularly in older infants, has a favorable prognosis.
- Different therapeutic management strategies are suggested for stage IV and stage IV-S neuroblastoma.
Abstract:
Clinical staging and factors related to survival were evaluated in 44 stage IV-S and 44 stage IV patients with neuroblastoma, ages 0 to 12 months, seen at Children's Cancer Study Group (CCSG) institutions from 1972 to 1979. In 73 patients with complete surgical staging, the life-table projected survival at 3 years was 91% for stage IV-S and 44% for stage IV. The only deaths in stage IV-S disease occurred in three patients less than 2 months old at diagnosis. In stage IV-S, 3 to 12 months old at diagnosis, the disease-free survival was 97%. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy did not appear to improve the survival rate in stage IV-S. These studies further document a significant clinical and biologic difference between patients with stage IV and stage IV-S neuroblastoma and suggest that they require different therapeutic management.
