Comparison of stage IV and IV‐S neuroblastoma in the first year of life

Abstract

Clinical staging and factors related to survival were evaluated in 44 stage IV‐S and 44 stage IV patients with neuroblastoma, ages 0 to 12 months, seen at Childrens Cancer Study Group (CCSG) institutions from 1972 to 1979. In 73 patients with complete surgical staging, the life‐table projected survival at 3 years was 91% for stage IV‐S and 44% for stage IV. The only deaths in stage IV‐S disease occurred in three patients less than 2 months old at diagnosis. In stage IV‐S, 3 to 12 months old at diagnosis, the disease‐free survival was 97%. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy did not appear to improve the survival rate in stage IV‐S.These studies further document a significant clinical and biologic difference between patients with stage IV and stage IV‐S neuroblastoma and suggest that they require different therapeutic management.