Pattern and outcome of neuroblastoma in Duhok city, Kurdistan region, Iraq

الملخص EN

Background and objectives The prognosis of neuroblastoma varies widely depending on the age at diagnosis, extent of the disease and tumor biology.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the pattern and the 4-year survival rates of children with neuroblastoma in Duhok city, Kurdistan region, North of Iraq.

Methods A total of 33 children with neuroblastoma who had been diagnosed at Heevi Pediatric Hospital, Duhok city, from January 2000 to January 2007 were evaluated for their age, sex, primary tumor site at diagnosis, histology, staging, treatment and outcome.

Results The median age at diagnosis was 23 months (range 3-74 months), 19 patients were males and 14 were females with male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1.

Adrenal gland was the commonest site of the primary tumor and abdominal distension was the most frequent presentation.

Favorable histology was seen in 19 (57.5%), and unfavorable histology in 14 (42.5%) patients.

Complete surgical resection was performed after diagnosis in 6 patients, incomplete resection/debulking in 18 patients, 5 patients died before surgery, and in infants less than 12 months of age with stage 4S disease (4 patients) only biopsy was taken.

Twentythree patients (69.6%) were diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 disease.

All patients received chemotherapy.

The 4-year disease free survival and the overall survival rate were 18.1% and 30.2 %, respectively.

Conclusion The 4-year disease free survival and the overall survival rate of neuroblastoma patients in Duhok city were similar to that reported earlier from Baghdad but lower than those reported in other countries.

Advanced stage of disease, incomplete tumor excision and increased age at diagnosis were all associated with poor survival.

Exploration of more novel therapeutic approaches is required to improve the outcomes of patients in our region.