Impact of radiotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma: a Children’s Cancer Group study

Abstract

Purpose To assess the effect of local radiation administered to primary disease sites in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Methods and materials A total of 539 eligible patients were entered on protocol CCG-3891, consisting of chemotherapy, primary surgery, and 10 Gy of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to gross residual disease, followed by randomized assignment to continuation chemotherapy (CC) or autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). ABMT patients received total body irradiation (TBI). Results Estimated event-free survival and overall survival at 5 years were 25% ± 2% and 35% ± 2%, respectively. Estimated 5-year locoregional recurrence rates were 51% ± 5% and 33% ± 7% for CC and ABMT patients ( p = 0.004). For patients who received 10 Gy of EBRT to the primary, the addition of 10 Gy of TBI and ABMT decreased local recurrence compared with CC (22% ± 12% and 52% ± 8%, p = 0.022). EBRT did not increase acute toxicity, except for increased total parenteral nutrition administration. Conclusions In combination with EBRT to the primary tumor site, the addition of 10 Gy of TBI as a component of high-dose chemotherapy with ABMT improved local control compared with CC without TBI. Results suggest a dose–response relationship for local EBRT. Short-term toxicity of local EBRT is limited.