Excellent local tumor control regardless of extent of surgical resection after treatment on the Chicago Pilot II protocol for neuroblastoma.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to investigate the impact of the extent of surgical resection on local recurrence and survival in high-risk patients treated with the Chicago Pilot II protocol.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review was performed on 30 patients enrolled in the Chicago Pilot II protocol between 1995 and 2003. Variables studied were location of tumor, extent of resection, timing and location of recurrence, MYCN amplification, surgical complications, event-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Operative reports and postoperative meta-iodobenzylguanidine scans were used to assess extent of resection. Complete resection (CR) was defined as no gross residual tumor including primary and nodal disease.


RESULTS
Three-year event-free survival and OS of this cohort of 30 patients was 58% and 82%, respectively. Only 1 patient developed a local recurrence, whereas metastatic recurrent disease was observed in 13 (43%) of the 30; and this subset had a significantly worse OS (23% vs 94%, P = .001). The most common relapse location was in bone. Patients with incomplete resection (IR) (11/30) and CR (19/30) had recurrence rates of 64% (7/11) and 32% (6/19, P = .12), respectively. Event-free survival was significantly better for patients with CR (68%) vs IR (27%; P = .05; odds ratio, 2.9). Overall survival rates for patients with CR vs IR were 68% vs 55%, respectively (P = .25).


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrence rate was the significant determinant of survival. Patients with CR had lower recurrence rates; however, they did not have improved local control. Final outcome of patients with unfavorable neuroblastoma will be determined by metastatic recurrence, not by extent of resection.
Browne
Marybeth
M
Department of Surgery, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
Kletzel
Morris
M
Cohn
Susan L
SL
Seshadri
Roopa
R
Reynolds
Marleta
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C459801:MYCN protein, human; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins