[Multidisciplinary treatment of advanced neuroblastoma--experience in treatment with the protocol of a group study supported by a grant from Ministry of Health and Welfare].

Ten patients in stages III or IV of neuroblastoma have been receiving treatment on the basis of a group study protocol that is supported by grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Their chemotherapy regimen has consisted of a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, THP-adriamycin, cisplatin, nimustine and dacarbazine. Surgery has been performed on all patients and in 7 patients their primary tumors were resected either as a delayed primary operation or a second look operation. Radiotherapy has been used for four patients at a total dose of 22-40 Gy. Six patients still survive (survival time: 5-27 months) with time spans that have ranged from 2-19 months of complete response. Major complications have been renal insufficiency, hearing loss, cardiac insufficiency, and bone marrow suppression, We focus mainly on the problems of this multidisciplinary treatment protocol.