[Treatment of advanced malignant tumor in children: delayed primary and secondary operation]

25 children with advanced malignant tumor (neuroblastoma 12, Wilm's tumor 4, rhabdomyoblastoma 7, embryonic carcinoma 2) were treated with delayed primary or secondary operation. The preoperative chemotherapy lasted for 1.03 approximately 9.06 months (mean 3.58 months). It reduced the size of the tumor by 10.5% approximately 95.2% (mean 69.5%), while the resectability was 84%. The patients with delayed or secondary operation survived for 18.25 +/- 9.32 months, a significant prolongation, compared to those underwent primary operation in the control group (7.23 +/- 6.38 months). The indication for the delayed or secondary operation was discussed. From these results, it is concluded that both resectability and survival of the children with advanced malignant tumors have been improved by the combination of chemotherapy and delayed primary or secondary operation.