Role of Palliative Radiotherapy in the Management of Metastatic Pediatric Neuroblastoma: A Retrospective Single-Institution Study

Clinical outcomes of palliative radiation therapy for children

“…There have been several prior reports of palliative RT for metastatic neuroblastoma showing promising results. [12][13][14] Halperin et al 12 reported that 65% of neuroblastoma patients with bone metastases responded to palliative RT. Paulino et al 14 observed improved palliation for neuroblastoma with doses of at least 20 Gy.…”

“…Paulino et al 14 observed improved palliation for neuroblastoma with doses of at least 20 Gy. Caussa et al 13 found that 44% of patients with CNS symptoms and 63% of patients with bone symptoms from neuroblastoma responded to RT. This result highlights the fact that neurologic symptoms appear to respond less frequently to palliative RT in general.…”

Palliative radiation therapy for superior vena cava syndrome in metastatic Wilms tumor using 10XFFF and 3D surface imaging to avoid anesthesia in a pediatric patient—a teaching case

“…The majority of children <7 years of age require anesthesia for radiation therapy to facilitate setup and minimize inadvertent movements 7, 11, 12. However, children with mediastinal masses are challenging because their airways are smaller and more compliant and compressible.…”

Recurrent Neuroblastoma

“…Palliative RT is given for bone pain, obstructive symptoms from soft tissue mass and neurological symptoms from CNS disease. 200 to 300cGy is delivered for each fraction and the number of fractions given depends on response (Caussa et al, 2011;Paulino, 2003). The median total RT dose is around 2000cGy.…”

“…The median total RT dose is around 2000cGy. RT can achieve a response rate of 63 to 79% in skeletal metastases, 67 to 84% in soft tissue sites, and 44 to 80% in CNS metastases (Caussa et al, 2011;Halperin & Cox, 1986;Paulino, 2003).…”