Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the commonest malignancy in infancy and the commonest extra-cranial malignant tumour in children. From the time of diagnosis, management is by agreed protocols drawn up by large oncology groups. Using improved diagnostic methods and with greater understanding of tumour biology, tumour staging is more accurate, and different risk groups have been identified. Treatment is then more refined, such that those with less aggressive tumours receive less toxic treatment. The mainstays of treatment include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. More recently, biological agents have become available with improvement in survival. Overall, about 75% of children with neuroblastoma will survive long term. For those with biologically unfavourable tumours, fewer than 50% will survive, and intensifying current treatment modalities has made little difference. It seems likely that further improvement in outlook awaits the development of new biological agents.
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Kiely, E. (2023). Neuroblastoma. In: Puri, P., Höllwarth, M.E. (eds) Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81488-5_49
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81488-5_49
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