Neuroblastoma of the head and neck.

We reviewed 105 cases of neuroblastoma, which were seen at the Buffalo Children's Hospital between 1936 and 1976. We describe seven patients with primary neuroblastoma of the head and neck. The results of postmortem examination in two of these patients proved without any doubt that the tumor was primarily in the head and neck region. Although metastasis of neuroblastomas to the head and neck from more common primary sites in the abdomen, pelvis, or thorax is common, to our knowledge, well-documented primary head and neck lesions are quite rare. The prognosis of invasive neuroblastoma of the head and neck is poor, with rapid and widespread metastasis being the rule. However, some success has been reported with early and massive therapy that involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.