Survival Rate of Children with Neuroblastoma in Srinagarind Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the survival of children with neuroblastoma

Methods: Survey the records for survival of children under 15 who were diagnosed as having neuroblastoma treated at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University between 1990 and 1995 and clinically followed up to the end of 2000. Postcards were sent to patients who missed appointments.  The survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Result: There were 27 cases.  The male to female ratio was 1.1 : 1. Most of the patients (77%) were less than 5 years old with a median age of 3 years and 4 months. All cases presented with advanced disease with staages 3 and 4 (4% and 96%). There were 4 patients alive after5-year follow up.  One had the stage 3 disease at diagnosis.  The longest survivor has been doing fine for 8 years and 11 months.  The median survival time was 9 months. The overall survival rates at 1,2 and 3 years were 33.3% 18.5% and 14.8% respectively.  Two of the 27 patients had the relapsed disease and died within 1 and 4 months.

Conclusion: In comparison with the West, our survivals of neuroblastoma were lower but comparable to those of some neighboring countries.  There are limitations of this study to evaluate other prognostic factors that may influence the survival.  A further prospective multicenter trial is suggested.