Image-defined Risk Factors Correlate with Surgical Radicality and Local Recurrence in Patients with Neuroblastoma

Background: Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid pediatric tumor and the most common cancer to be detected in children younger than 12 months of age. To date, 2 different staging systems describe the extent of the disease: the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) and the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS). The INRGSS-system is characterized by the presence or absence of so called image-defined risk factors (IDRFs), which are described as surgical risk factors. We hypothesized that IDRFs correlate with surgical complications, surgical radicality, local recurrence and overall survival (OS). Patients and methods: Between 2003 and 2010, 102 patients had neuroblastoma surgery performed in our department. We analyzed medical records for IDRF-status and above named data. Results: 16 patients were IDRF-negative, whereas 86 patients showed one or more IDRF. Intra-or postoperative complications have been reported in 21 patients (21 %). 19 of them showed one or more IDRF and 2 patients were IDRF-negative (p = n.s.). Patients who suffered from intra-or postoperative complications demonstrated a decreased OS (p = 0.011). Statistical analysis revealed an inverse correlation between the extent of macroscopical removal and IDRF-status (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the number of IDRFs were associated with a decreased likelihood of radical tumor resection (p < 0.001). 19 patients had local recurrence; all of them were IDRF-positive (p = 0.037). Conclusions: Pediatric surgeons should consider IDRFs as a useful tool for risk assessment and therefore planning for neuroblastoma surgery.