[Treatment of neuroblastoma. Results of therapy at the Zurich University Pediatric Clinic, 1967-1987].

Abstract

Between 1967 and 1987 58 children with the diagnosis of neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma, all under 10 years of age, were admitted to the University Children's Hospital of Zurich for treatment. According to Evan's classification, 8 (14%) patients had stage I disease, 5 (9%) stage II, 6 (10%) stage III, 26 (45%) stage IV, and 13 (22%) stage IV-S. The 2-year survival rate of 46 patients with adequate follow-up was 6/6 (100%) for stage I, 4/4 (100%) for stage II, 5/6 (83%) for stage III, 6/23 (26%) for stage IV, and 7/7 (100%) for stage IV-S. The excellent results in stage IV-S patients confirm the active but cautious treatment policy. Analysis of catecholamine metabolites in 24-hour urine collections proved to be a reliable method to evaluate the further course: all 21 children who showed complete normalization of metabolite levels during therapy, survived.