Thoracic neuroblastoma/ganglioneuroma.

The Executive Committee of the B.A.P.S. instituted a collaborative study of patients with thoracic neuroblastoma treated by members in the British Isles. The study covers patients diagnosed in the decade 1970-1979. There is clear evidence of thoracic disease in all patients reported but there is a problem in defining whether the thoracic disease is primary or part of disseminated disease. In 9 of the deaths the thoracic component at presentations seems likely to be part of a generalised disease without definition of a primary site. Overall mortality in this series is 35% indicating the better prognosis of the patients presenting with thoracic neuroblastoma compared to other primary sites. If the 9 patients considered to have generalised disease are excluded then the mortality in this collected series is 22% (10 of 45). The investigations and management are outlined and the complications of therapy are considered.