Neonatal neuroblastoma: stage of disease influences survival

The results of the analysis of 102 neonatal neuroblastomas collected from literature from 1940 to 1978 are reported. Frequency of stages, primary site, and metastatic diffusion of the tumour are considered. Survival rate is 54%. This study shows that the more favorable prognosis of neonatal cases is not related either to age or primary site, but only to the stage of the tumour. The presence of skin metastasis is a favorable prognostic factor (survival rate in babies with skin metastasis is 95%).