Thoracic neural crest tumors. A clinical review.

The experience of a regional children's hospital in the management of intrathoracic neural crest tumors over a period of 20 years is presented. Of 145 children with neuroblastoma between 1961 and 1980 inclusive, 115 had primary abdominal neuroblastoma (including pelvic) with a mortality of 86%; 30 patients had a thoracic neuroblastoma with a mortality of 16.5% (five patients). The more favorable outlook in this group should imply a more cautious approach to the initiation of treatment regimens which have their own morbidity and mortality.