Dose response analysis of pediatric neuroblastoma to megavoltage radiation

Children with neuroblastoma treated in Salt Lake City from 1966 through 1982 were analyzed in an attempt to develop guidelines for external beam radiation. Particular attention was addressed to time-dose relationships in those patients with residual disease post-resection (Stages II and III). Altogether, 76 patients were analyzed and survival rates were: Stage I--100%; Stage II--84%; Stage III--69.2%; Stage IV--14.3%; Stage IV-S--71.4%. Survival rates were correspondingly better in younger children and in infants. Indications for postoperative radiation therapy in this population were: unresectable or gross remaining tumor; residual tumor in neural foramina; tumor spill during surgery; positive regional lymph nodes or positive surgical margins. Local control was achieved in a majority of patients undergoing surgery and radiation for limited disease. In children younger than 1 year of age, no local failures were observed at doses above 1200 rad. In children between 1-2 years of age, no local failures were observed with doses as low as 1440 rad. In children older than 3 years, local failures were observed up to 4500 rad.