AIM: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of neurological complications in patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastic tumors (NT). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Hospital file search was performed in patients with NT, and neurological complications, clinical, and treatment features were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 523 patients with NT, 19 patients had Horner's syndrome, 9 patients had opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMA), 11 patients had central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and 49 patients had spinal cord compression (SCC) at diagnosis. During follow-up, seven more patients had CNS metastases. Survival rates were poor in patients with CNS involvement; all died at a median of 7.9 months after diagnosis. The neurological symptoms and signs of patients with SCC were mild, moderate, and severe in 13, 9, and 22 patients, respectively. Sphincter deficiency and sensory loss were diagnosed in 52.3% and 43.2% of patients. The neurological deficits of 11/17 patients who had symptoms less than 4 weeks were completely resolved or improved. The incidence of sequelae after laminectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were 46.2%, 66.6%, and 13.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of Horner's syndrome, OMA, CNS metastasis, and SCC were found to be 3.6%, 1.8%, 2.2%, and 9.4%, respectively. Metastasis to the CNS indicated a very poor prognosis. No differences in neurological improvement in patients with SCC were found between those treated with radiotherapy, laminectomy, or chemotherapy alone, but laminectomy and radiotherapy caused significant late sequelae. Early diagnosis and proper management is critical to avoid long-term sequelae in patients with SCC.
AIM: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of neurological complications in patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastic tumors (NT). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Hospital file search was performed in patients with NT, and neurological complications, clinical, and treatment features were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 523 patients with NT, 19 patients had Horner's syndrome, 9 patients had opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMA), 11 patients had central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and 49 patients had spinal cord compression (SCC) at diagnosis. During follow-up, seven more patients had CNS metastases. Survival rates were poor in patients with CNS involvement; all died at a median of 7.9 months after diagnosis. The neurological symptoms and signs of patients with SCC were mild, moderate, and severe in 13, 9, and 22 patients, respectively. Sphincter deficiency and sensory loss were diagnosed in 52.3% and 43.2% of patients. The neurological deficits of 11/17 patients who had symptoms less than 4 weeks were completely resolved or improved. The incidence of sequelae after laminectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were 46.2%, 66.6%, and 13.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of Horner's syndrome, OMA, CNS metastasis, and SCC were found to be 3.6%, 1.8%, 2.2%, and 9.4%, respectively. Metastasis to the CNS indicated a very poor prognosis. No differences in neurological improvement in patients with SCC were found between those treated with radiotherapy, laminectomy, or chemotherapy alone, but laminectomy and radiotherapy caused significant late sequelae. Early diagnosis and proper management is critical to avoid long-term sequelae in patients with SCC.
Authors: Katherine K Matthay; Franz Blaes; Barbara Hero; Dominique Plantaz; Pedro De Alarcon; Wendy G Mitchell; Michael Pike; Vito Pistoia Journal: Cancer Lett Date: 2005-10-18 Impact factor: 8.679
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Authors: C Pianca; P Pistamiglio; E Veneselli; E Viscardi; A Pession; P Alvisi; M Carli; A Donfrancesco; F Casale; M G Giuliano; L C di Montezemolo; A Di Cataldo; M Lo Curto; S Bagnulo; R F Schumacher; A Tamburini; A Garaventa; L Clemente; P Bruzzi Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2001-01-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: D Plantaz; H Rubie; J Michon; F Mechinaud; C Coze; P Chastagner; D Frappaz; M Gigaud; J G Passagia; O Hartmann Journal: Cancer Date: 1996-07-15 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: E Rudnick; Y Khakoo; N L Antunes; R C Seeger; G M Brodeur; H Shimada; R B Gerbing; D O Stram; K K Matthay Journal: Med Pediatr Oncol Date: 2001-06
Authors: G M Brodeur; J Pritchard; F Berthold; N L Carlsen; V Castel; R P Castelberry; B De Bernardi; A E Evans; M Favrot; F Hedborg Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 1993-08 Impact factor: 44.544