Enhanced metastasis after local therapy in a murine model using C-1300 neuroblastoma

Background/Purpose: In the treatment of advanced neuroblastoma, the role of surgery has been controversial. This study was carried out to determine the effect of surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy in inhibiting or promoting distant metastases. Methods: Transplanted C-1300 neuroblastomas in hind legs of syngeneic mice were treated by surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The liver was evaluated 18 days after each treatment modality for metastases, Results: Mice developed no liver metastasis when leg tumors received no treatment or chemotherapy. In the mice who had the tumor resected, liver metastases were found in 8 of 16 mice that had 7-mm tumors. One hundred percent of the mice that had 9- or 12-mm tumors presented with metastases to the liver. In mice who received radiation thera py, 100% had liver metastases. Conclusions: Local control by surgery and single-dose radiation induced liver metastasis in a murine model. Surgery to remove tumors should be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to prevent secondary liver metastases. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.