Biological characteristics of N-myc amplified neuroblastoma in patients over one year of age.

1. A genomic amplification of N-myc of neuroblastoma was frequently observed in patients in the advanced stage of the disease, in those with the tumor originating from the suprarenal region, and in those with a histologically undifferentiated neuroblastoma. Thus, N-myc may be one of the most pertinent prognostic factors of neuroblastoma in patients over one year of age. 2. The neuroblastoma patient with 1-10 copies of N-myc responded to aggressive multidisciplinary therapy, even those over one year of age. 3. Rapid invasion and progression of the tumor was evident in children with more than 10 copies of N-myc. 4. N-myc amplification may correlate with immaturity of catecholamine metabolism of neuroblastoma.