Diagnosis, management, and outcome of cervicofacial teratomas in neonates: a Childrens Cancer Group study

The management of cervicofacial teratomas in neonates is often complicated and may result in significant morbidity and death. A Childrens Cancer Group (CCG) retrospective study was conducted to evaluate a multiinstitutional experience with the treatment of these extremely rare neoplasms. Twenty neonates with cervicofacial teratomas, presenting from 1971 to 1994, were identified from nine CCG institutions. Fourteen neonates had cervical teratomas, and six had orofacial teratomas. There were 12 males and eight females. A diagnostic prenatal ultrasound examination was performed in six cases. Life-threatening airway obstruction occurred in seven infants (35%) in the early postnatal period. Two neonates died in the delivery room without ever having their airway secured. Two other infants with a prenatal diagnosis survived only because tracheostomies were performed by pediatric surgeons who were in the delivery room. Three other patients were orally intubated, one after sustaining hypoxic cardiac arrest. Eighteen infants had their primary tumor excised. Three patients required tracheostomy. After resection, two patients had evidence of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and two required prolonged thyroid hormone replacement. Histological examination showed eight mature and seven immature teratomas. Four infants (20%) clearly had malignant lesions. Pulmonary metastases occurred in two patients and contributed to one late death at 6 months of age. The overall survival rate was 85%, and the mean follow-up period was 5 years (range, 2 months to 16 years). Twelve of 17 surviving patients (70%) have had an excellent functional and cosmetic outcome. Four children have varying degrees of developmental delay and mental retardation. Hypoxia at birth was believed to have contributed to these problems in two cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)