[Massive chemotherapy and purged bone marrow autograft in severe neuroblastoma. Preliminary results apropos of 5 cases].

Massive chemotherapy with in vitro purged autologous bone marrow transplantation has benefited from better understanding of massive chemotherapy for solid tumors, and better search for bone marrow involvement; it may now be used for treatment of poor prognosis neuroblastomas. Authors report preliminary results of 5 cases (4 IV and 1 p III b stage of TNM classification) completely treated in one institution (Centre Léon-Bérard, Lyon, France). Three patients are in complete remission, and 2 have relapsed (median follow up: 18 months). Authors comment on these results.