Image-defined risk factors associated with MYCN oncogene amplification in neuroblastoma and their association with overall survival

OBJECTIVE

The MYCN oncogene is a critical factor in the development and progression of neuroblastoma, and image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) are radiological findings used for the preoperative staging of neuroblastoma. This study aimed to investigate the specific categories of IDRFs associated with MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma and their association with overall survival.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 280 pediatric patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma, utilizing a combination of clinical and radiological data. MYCN amplification status was ascertained through molecular testing, and the assessment of IDRFs was conducted using either contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The specific categories of IDRFs associated with MYCN amplification and their association with overall survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

MYCN amplification was identified in 19.6% (55/280) of patients, with the majority of primary lesions located in the abdomen (53/55, 96.4%). Lesions accompanied by MYCN amplification exhibited significantly larger tumor volume and a greater number of IDRFs compared with those without MYCN amplification (P < 0.001). Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that coeliac axis/superior mesenteric artery encasement and infiltration of adjacent organs/structures were independently associated with MYCN amplification in abdominal neuroblastoma (P < 0.05). Patients presenting with more than four IDRFs experienced a worse prognosis (P = 0.017), and infiltration of adjacent organs/structures independently correlated with overall survival in abdominal neuroblastoma (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

The IDRFs are closely correlated with the MYCN amplification status and overall survival in neuroblastoma.

Ganglioneuromas in Childhood: Hacettepe Experience With 70 Cases

BACKGROUND

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are rare benign peripheral neuroblastic tumors (PNTs). We shared our institutional experience with childhood GNs.

METHODS

Records of the children with PNTs between January 1995 and December 2021 were reviewed, and cases with histopathological diagnoses of GN were identified. Clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histopathological findings, image-defined risk factors (IDRFs), procedures, and overall outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 668 cases with PNTs, 70 (10.4%) had GNs. The median age was 7.4 years (range, 2.6-15.7 years) (girls/boys, 41/29). Common presenting complaints were abdominal pain and cough; 33/70 cases (47.1%) were diagnosed incidentally. Primary tumors were in the abdomen in 41/70, the thorax in 25/70, the neck in 3 cases, and the pelvis in one. The median tumor size was 6.5 cm (range, 1.4-17). Fifty cases (71.4%) were staged as INRG-L1; 20 cases with IDRFs (15 single, five >1) were staged as INRG-L2. Complete and partial tumor resections were performed in 58/70 and 6/70 cases, while 6 had no resection. The overall complication rate was 17.1% (11/64). At a median follow-up of 9 years, five were lost to follow-up; 65 were alive. One patient with gross residue underwent total resection due to progression 13 years after the surgery, and one in the unresected group was lost to follow-up. Ten other cases without a complete resection experienced no tumor progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Ganglioneuromas are benign PNTs, and most are free of IDRFs. Even without complete resection, long-term outcomes are excellent. Guidelines should be devised considering the high surgical complication rates and benign course of GNs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case series, IV.

Systematic Lymphatic Repair for Reduction of Postoperative Lymphatic Leak Following Neuroblastoma Resection

BACKGROUND

Gross total resection of neuroblastoma is associated with lymphatic leaks that can delay postoperative resumption of treatment. To prevent postoperative lymphatic leak, we introduced systematic lymphatic repair (SLR), which involved oversewing the entire edge of the disrupted lymphatic plane after neuroblastoma resection. We sought to study the impact of SLR on postoperative lymphatic leak and time to return to treatment.

METHODS

We reviewed 60 neuroblastoma patients who underwent gross total resection at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Patient, disease, and operative factors were correlated with surgical drainage, treatment delay and length of stay (LOS). Among patients with sufficient records, the interaction between variables associated with drainage, delay and LOS outcomes were compared in 14 patients who had SLR versus 35 historical controls who had targeted lymphatic repair (TLR).

RESULTS

Postoperative drain duration and volume were significantly higher in tumors with ≥2 image-derived risk factors (IDRFs, P = 0.005 and P = 0.013, respectively) or vessel encasement (P = 0.031 and P = 0.024, respectively). Longer LOS was significantly associated with ≥2 IDRFs (P = 0.006). All forms of suture repair of lymphatics and use of Tachosil™ were associated with significantly longer postoperative drain duration (P < 0.05); the former was also associated with significantly higher total drain volume (P < 0.05) - indicating appropriate use of these adjuncts in patients at risk of chyle leak. In patients who had suture repair of lymphatics, SLR was significantly associated with reduced postoperative interval to chemotherapy resumption (P = 0.014, two-way ANOVA).

CONCLUSION

A systematic approach to repair of lymphatic channels following neuroblastoma resection can significantly reduce time to postoperative resumption of treatment.

TYPE OF STUDY

Clinical Research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Association of image-defined risk factors with clinical features, tumor biology, and outcomes in neuroblastoma: a single-center retrospective study

Image-defined risk factors (IDRF) in neuroblastoma have been developed to predict tumor resectability and surgical complications; however, the potential prognostic value of IDRF in neuroblastoma has been variably reported. Previous studies did not report the IDRF status separately from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) stage. Moreover, the association between IDRF and clinical and pathological factors has not been discussed further. In this retrospective study, we investigated the clinical and biological features of neuroblastoma at different INRG stages based on IDRF. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) related to the INRG stage were analyzed using log-rank tests, and the prognostic value of the IDRF number and type was also evaluated. Among 72 patients, 182 IDRF at diagnosis were found in 79.2%. The distribution of the INRG stages was 10 L1 (13.9.0%), 25 L2 (34.7%), and 37 M/MS (51.4%). Patients with stage M/Ms had a larger tumor volume, a higher percentage of age ≥ 18 months, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, elevated ferritin level, and a higher percentage of COG high-risk compared with stage L1 and L2 patients. EFS and OS were similar for stage L1 and L2 tumors but were significantly poorer for metastatic disease. However, EFS (P = 0.06) and OS (P = 0.07) were similar for IDRF-negative and positive neuroblastomas. Patients with stage M/Ms with IDRF-positive had poorer EFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) compared with patients in stage L2. An IDRF ≥ 4, vascular IDRF, and infiltrative IDRF of the tumor were significant indicators of poor prognosis.   Conclusion: Our study indicates that increasing the INRG stages based on IDRF is associated with various unfavorable clinical features of neuroblastoma. The principal determinant of survival in neuroblastoma is the presence of metastatic disease more than IDRF alone at diagnosis. Both the number and type of IDRF have important clinical significance in the protocol planning of neuroblastoma, rather than just considering the absence or presence of IDRF. What is Known: • The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRGSS) now employs image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) to stratify and stage disease. • The presence of IDRF at diagnosis are associated with higher rates of operative complications and incomplete surgical resection. What is New: • The principal determinant of survival from neuroblastoma is the presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis, more than IDRF alone. • IDRF number and type should also be considered during the diagnosis and treatment planning of neuroblastoma, rather than just considering the absence or presence of IDRF.

Correlation between image-defined risk factors and surgical complications in patients with neuroblastoma: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Image-defined risk factor (IDRF) is a common tool used for neuroblastoma risk group classification. We speculated that anatomical evaluation by IDRF might be correlated with surgical complications and the oncologic outcome. Here, we investigated correlation between IDRF with outcomes of surgery of neuroblastoma patients.

METHODS

Medical records and computed tomography images of neuroblastoma patients who underwent a surgery at Songklanagarind Hospital between 2002 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. IDRFs were analyzed for correlation with surgical complications, overall survival, progression-free survival and local recurrence within 2 years.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Sixteen (35%) patients had low IDRF score at diagnosis (score ≤ 5). Other 29 (64%) patients had high IDRF score (score ≥ 6). High IDRF group significantly had higher incidence of organ injury and more intraoperative blood loss. At post-chemotherapy, high IDRF was not only associated with higher operative complications, but also associated with 2-year overall survival and progress-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroblastoma patients whose IDRF score, either at diagnosis or after neoadjuvant therapy, was 6 or higher had increased risk of surgical complication. This evidence prompts pediatric surgeons to prepare more for safe surgery in this group of patients.

Changes in image-defined risk factors with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pediatric abdominal neuroblastoma

PURPOSE

To observe the changes in image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pediatric abdominal neuroblastoma and to investigate the correlations between IDRF changes and histopathological features. In addition, this study also investigated the correlations between residual IDRFs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and intraoperative complications.

METHODS

Forty-three patients with abdominal neuroblastoma who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our hospital from January 2015 to September 2021 were enrolled. Intraoperative records, histopathological features, and CT images at initial diagnosis and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy of all patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 245 IDRFs were found at initial diagnosis, with a median of 6 [5, 7] IDRFs per patient. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, IDRFs significantly decreased to 156 (p < 0.001), with a median of 4 [3, 5] IDRFs remaining per patient. The majority of IDRFs (6/8, 75.00%) were significantly improved after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.05), while tumor invasion of renal pedicles (p > 0.05) and adjacent structures (p > 0.05) was the least responsive IDRF. IDRFs in different types of neuroblastoma decreased significantly after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.05), while they were not significant in neuroblastoma with low and intermediate mitosis-karyorrhexis indices (p > 0.05). The number of residual IDRFs correlated positively with the volumes of intraoperative blood loss (r = 0.399, p = 0.008), but not with the presence of intraoperative complications (r = 0.111, p = 0.478).

CONCLUSIONS

IDRFs in different types of neuroblastoma can be significantly improved after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while IDRFs in neuroblastoma with low and intermediate mitosis-karyorrhexis indices might not be easily improved. At the same time, the number of residual IDRFs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy might not correlate with the occurrence of intraoperative complications in abdominal neuroblastoma.

Surgical approach to pediatric mediastinal masses based on imaging characteristics

BACKGROUND

Pediatric mediastinal masses may be resected using an open or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach. We sought to define the preoperative imaging findings predicting amenability to VATS.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study of pediatric patients undergoing either VATS or open surgical mediastinal mass resection between 2008 and 2018 evaluated the preoperative imaging descriptors associated with VATS. Postoperative endpoints included length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, 90-day mortality and complication rates.

RESULTS

Mediastinal mass resection was performed in 33 patients. Median tumor size was 6 cm, and 51.5% had anterior mediastinal tumors. The 23 (69.7%) patients who underwent VATS were significantly older (144 months vs 32, P = 0.01) and larger (33.6 kg vs 13.8 P = 0.03). Preoperative imaging characteristics in VATS included "well circumscribed", "smooth margins" and "cystic", while the open surgery group were "heterogeneous" and "coarse calcification". The open group had more germ cell tumors (60.0% vs 13.0%, P = 0.16) but no difference in malignancy. VATS patients had shorter LOS (2 days vs 6.5, P = 0.24). Readmission, complication and mortality rates were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with apparent malignancy frequently underwent open resection compared with the thoracoscopic group, although final malignant pathology was similar. Equivalent outcomes and shorter LOS should favor a minimally invasive approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Association of image-defined risk factors, tumor resectability, and prognosis in children with localized neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

Although localized neuroblastoma has a good prognosis, some cases have undergone treatment failure or recurrence. Apart from biologic features such as MYCN status, we wondered whether some characteristics of growing tumors are prognostic, such as a well-encapsulated mass without infiltration of vital organs. We analyzed the diagnostic utility of image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) to predict successful treatment and prognosis. The overall goal was to achieve maximum cure rates for patients with localized neuroblastoma through a better understanding of clinical characteristics.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the images of patients with localized neuroblastoma who were enrolled between June 1998 and December 2012 at a single institution in Shanghai, China. Unequivocal categorization regarding IDRFs was available in 67 patients. IDRF was assessed at diagnosis and after four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, on average. The median follow-up period was 84 months (range: 48-132 months) after diagnosis.

RESULTS

MRI and CT indicated a total of 177 IDRFs in these 67 patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed a highly significant negative correlation between the numbers of IDRFs and the possibility of complete removal of neuroblastoma. Intraspinal extension of the tumor, compression of the trachea, and encasement of the main artery in localized neuroblastoma were predictors for incomplete tumor resection. According to univariate analysis, ≥ 4 IDRFs and intraspinal extension of the tumor were significant indicators of poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of IDRFs was useful in predicting surgical outcome and event-free survival. The number of IDRFs should be considered in protocol planning, instead of IDRF presence or absence.

Association between image-defined risk factors and neuroblastoma outcomes

BACKGROUND

The current neuroblastoma (NBL) staging system employs image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) to assess numerous anatomic features, but the impact of IDRFs on surgical and oncologic outcomes is unclear.

METHODS

The Vanderbilt Cancer Registry identified children treated for NBL from 2002 to 2017. Tumor volume (TV) and IDRFs were measured radiographically at diagnosis and before resection. Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

At diagnosis of 106 NBL, 61% were IDRF positive. MYCN-amplified and undifferentiated NBL had more IDRFs than nonamplified and more differentiated tumors (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01). Of 86 NBLs resected, 43% were IDRF positive, which associated with higher stage, risk, and TV (each p < 0.001). The presence of IDRF at resection was also associated with increased blood loss (p < 0.001), longer operating times (p < 0.001), greater incidence of intraoperative complications (p = 0.03), more frequent ICU admissions postoperatively (p < 0.001), and longer hospital stays (p < 0.001). IDRF negative and positive tumors did not have significantly different rates of gross total resection (p = 0.2). Five-year relapse-free and overall survival was similar for IDRF negative and positive NBL (p = 0.9 and p = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

IDRFs at diagnosis were associated with larger, less differentiated, advanced stage, and higher risk NBL and at resection with increased operative difficulty and perioperative morbidity. However, the frequency of gross total resection and patient survival after resection were not associated with the presence of IDRFs.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective cohort study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

A review of neuroblastoma image-defined risk factors on magnetic resonance imaging

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in children. Historically, neuroblastoma has been staged using the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS), which relies on surgical staging. This is problematic because surgical resection can vary among surgeons and tumors and occurs at interval times from diagnosis. In 2009 the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) created a new staging system that relies on preoperative imaging for staging. The INRG staging system consists of 20 image-defined risk factors (IDRF) across multiple organ systems, which help predict surgical outcomes/adequacy of resection and can be combined with clinical data to provide up-front risk stratification. The purpose of this review is to describe both the INSS and INRG staging systems and their limitations and to illustrate the definitions and IDRFs that comprise the INRG staging system.

Outcomes and complications of surgery in patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma: experience from an Indian tertiary Cancer Centre

PURPOSE

The treatment of intermediate risk (IR) neuroblastoma has evolved with the focus now on reducing the drugs, dosage, and duration of chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to present the outcomes of treatment and the complications of surgery in patients with IR neuroblastoma treated at a tertiary cancer center in India.

METHODS

All eligible patients with IR neuroblastoma treated between April 2005 and August 2016 were identified. The presence and number of image-defined risk factors (IDRF) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed as were the extent of surgery, complications, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 282 neuroblastoma patients treated during the study period, 54 had IR neuroblastoma. Complete excision was achieved in 25 patients. There were 26 surgical complications in 22 patients with a similar incidence in patients with complete (n = 13) or incomplete (n = 13) resection (p = 0.78). After a median follow-up of 47 months, the 4-year overall and event-free survival was 91.5% and 75%, respectively. There was no difference in survival between patients who underwent complete resection versus those with incomplete resection (p = 0.9).

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of IR neuroblastoma are favorable. The extent of resection does not affect the survival and complications can occur even when the resection is incomplete.

Laparoscopic resection of neuroblastomas in low- to high-risk patients without image-defined risk factors is safe and feasible

Background

Several studies have reported that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) might be considered for resecting neuroblastomas without image-defined risk factors (IDRFs); however, there are no studies comparing the outcomes of laparotomy and laparoscopy in IDRF-negative patients. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery and compared the two abovementioned approaches.

Methods

To compare the effects of laparotomy with those of laparoscopy in patients with neuroblastomas without IDRFs, the following items were retrospectively compared: largest tumor dimension, volume of blood loss, time required to initiate postoperative feeding, locoregional recurrence rate, survival, etc.

Results

Nine patients without IDRFs (three at low-to-medium risk and six at high risk) underwent laparotomy, and seven patients without IDRFs (two at low-to-medium risk and five at high risk) underwent laparoscopy. Median duration of surgery was 221 (130–304) and 172 (122–253) min in the laparotomy and laparoscopy groups, respectively, showing no significant difference. Median postoperative time required for resuming meal consumption was significantly longer in the laparotomy (4 days; 2–5) group than that in the laparoscopy group (3 days; 2–3; p = 0.023). Median blood loss was significantly higher in the laparotomy group (5 ml/Kg;2.6–16) than that in the laparoscopy group (2.1 ml/Kg;0.1–4.0; P = 0.037). Median follow-up period was 81 (52–94) and 21 (17–28) months, locoregional recurrence rates were 22 and 0% at 1 year, 1-year progression-free survival rates were 78 and 100%, and overall survival rates were 67 and 100% in the laparotomy and laparoscopy groups, respectively, with no significant differences.

Conclusions

MIS for the treatment of neuroblastomas without IDRFs in low- to high-risk patients is safe and feasible and does not compromise the treatment outcome.

Can neoadjuvant chemotherapy reduce the surgical risks for localized neuroblastoma patients with image-defined risk factors at the time of diagnosis?

PURPOSE

To date, no detailed study of the changes in the image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chemotherapy on IDRFs for stage L2 neuroblastomas.

METHODS

Fifteen stage L2 patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy were selected. Changes after chemotherapy in the number of positive IDRFs, tumor size and major surgical complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

All IDRFs disappeared after chemotherapy in four patients (group A) and a reduction in the number of IDRFs, but not disappearance, after chemotherapy was observed in five patients (group B). No change in the number of IDRFs after chemotherapy was observed in six patients (group C). All tumors in groups A shrunk to <20 % of the pretreatment volume. Major surgical complications were observed in one of two, two of three and three of five patients who underwent tumor excision in groups A, B and C, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Only 27 % of the tumors with IDRFs became negative for IDRFs after chemotherapy. For negative IDRFs, tumors should shrink to <20 % of the volume at the time of diagnosis. Stage L2 tumors may have a potential risk for surgery even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.