A Review of Infants With Localized Neuroblastoma That Evolve to Stage 4s Disease

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2020 Aug;42(6):e483-e487. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001517.

Abstract

The authors describe a newborn diagnosed with localized neuroblastoma that evolved to stage 4s at the age of 5 months. Peculiar features of the case included a bilateral adrenal primary, the skin as the only metastatic site, and the development of a muscular lesion late in the clinical course. The patient underwent left adrenalectomy and all other lesions regressed without further therapy. The case prompted a search for similar cases both in the Italian Neuroblastoma Registry and in the literature. All patients identified, although variously treated, survived with the exception of the 2 with MYCN gene amplification. We conclude that infants with neuroblastoma who undergo a transition from a localized to stage 4s disease could be less rare than expected. In the absence of unfavorable biology, a wait-and-see policy with strict follow-up could be adopted for these patients, avoiding potentially damaging systemic therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenalectomy / methods*
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology*
  • Neuroblastoma / surgery
  • Young Adult