Outcomes After Radiation Therapy to Metastatic Sites in Patients With Stage 4 Neuroblastoma

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2015 Apr;37(3):175-80. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000264.

Abstract

In patients with high-risk metastatic neuroblastoma, the benefit of radiation therapy (RT) to metastatic sites as part of primary treatment has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this single-institution study was to evaluate local control of irradiated metastatic sites, and characterize metastatic disease burden and anatomic distribution in patients with high-risk metastatic neuroblastoma. The records of all patients diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma between August 2000 and January 2010 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included: bone-marrow only metastatic site, total body irradiation, or no imaging follow-up. A total of 37 patients met eligibility criteria. Median follow-up period for patients without relapse was 61 months. Five-year overall survival for all patients was 67%. Thirteen patients (35%) received RT to a metastatic site as part of their primary treatment. Among these patients, in-field recurrence occurred in three patients (23%), including two of three treated calvarial sites. In patients treated with or without RT to a metastatic site, respectively, there was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival (73% vs. 63%, P=0.84) or relapse-free survival (46% and 55%, P=0.48). Current metastatic site RT dose may be suboptimal, and certain locations may predict for a poor response. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the optimal role of RT to metastatic sites.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Bone Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neuroblastoma / mortality*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Neuroblastoma / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / secondary
  • Survival Rate
  • Young Adult