[Autologous bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of children with neuroblastoma; 30 patients in 10 years].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of high dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in children with metastasized neuroblastoma (stage IV) in partial or complete remission.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

The former Emma Child Hospital and the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam.

METHOD

In the period January 1980 to May 1991, ABMT was used in 30 children (mean age 3 years) with a neuroblastoma stage IV treated with chemotherapy. Occurrence of fever, infections, haemorrhagic diathesis, mucositis, ileus and the duration of hospital stay were measured as indications of illness. The mean weight loss and the duration of aplasia were also measured.

RESULTS

Eight of 30 patients stayed alive until June 1993. Three patients died within 1 month after start of treatment. The median survival of the other 19 patients was 15 months. The mean weight loss was 7.6% and the period of aplasia had a mean duration of 18-20 days. Two-year disease free survival was 26.6% with a median follow-up of 118.5 months (29-150).