Challenge of the two neural tumors: neuroblastoma and retinoblastoma.

ABSTRACT

Fifty cases of neuroblastoma and 29 retinoblastoma patients who had additional chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. MaleFemale ratio were 11 and 0.81, the ages ranged from birth to 14 years (4 +/- 3.42 year) for neuroblastoma, and one month to 5.5 years (2.4 +/- 1.4 year) for retinoblastoma. More than 70%-90% of them came in advanced stages. The treatment consisted of surgical resection, enucleation or exenteration if feasible. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy were given as specific and palliative measures. All of the neuroblastoma who were younger than 8 months old survived long-term. Various chemotherapeutic agents did not seem to effect the outcome of the advanced cases of these two diseases. The retinoblasts did not seem to be sensitive to MTX and Ara-C. Thio-tepa intrathecally seems to be worth trying. Since these two tumors are not sensitive to treatment and are still a great challenge to the developed countries, awareness of the diseases, early diagnosis and early treatment are appropriate approaches for the developing countries.