Stage 4S neuroblastoma, a disseminated tumor with excellent outcome

Saudi Med J. 2006 Nov;27(11):1734-6.

Abstract

Objective: To review the clinical features and outcome of all cases of stage 4S neuroblastoma treated at our center.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the files of all patients (n=75) with neuroblastoma treated at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 1986 and 2005. We studied the clinical features and outcome of patients with stage 4S neuroblastoma.

Results: Six patients (8%) were confirmed to have stage 4S neuroblastoma. Three were boys with a median age at diagnosis of 4.5 months (range 28 days-11 months). Four patients required no intervention. The remaining 2 patients were treated with chemotherapy due to progressive hepatomegaly and respiratory distress. No patient required radiotherapy or surgical intervention. With a median follow up of 4 years (range 9 months-15.5 years), all patients are alive and well. Two patients continue to have a residual abdominal mass, while complete resolution occurred in the others.

Conclusion: Stage 4S neuroblastoma is a special tumor that carries excellent prognosis. Spontaneous regression may occur and intervention is only required in symptomatic patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Age Factors
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carboplatin / therapeutic use
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatomegaly / diagnosis
  • Hepatomegaly / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neuroblastoma* / diagnosis
  • Neuroblastoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neuroblastoma* / drug therapy
  • Neuroblastoma* / mortality
  • Neuroblastoma* / pathology
  • Neuroblastoma* / secondary
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Carboplatin

Supplementary concepts

  • CAV protocol