Abstract
Background: The neuroblastoma (NB) burden varies from region to region. Its presentation is variable, and its prognosis is hugely variable.Aims: The present study aims to evaluate the incidence, clinico-epidemiological characteristics, and prognosis of children with NB receiving treatment and follow-up in Al-Imamain Al-Kadhumain Medical City, a pediatric cancer center.Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study involving NB patients managed at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhumain Medical City. The present study was conducted for 14 months between April 2021 and May 2022. The data about age, sex, primary site, metastases, signs and symptoms, staging, and follow-up were extracted from patient files in the hematology and oncology clinic.Results: The commonest age was <1 year (55%). The main primary site of the tumor was suprarenal (80%). More than one-third had weight loss, while abdominal mass was reported in 52.5%. The main sites of metastasis were bone marrow and liver (80% and 10%, respectively). The mortality rate was 10%, mainly due to sepsis.Conclusions: Children under 1 year are the most affected, with a slight female preponderance. The most frequent metastatic sites are bone marrow and liver. The diagnosis depends mainly on bone marrow aspiration.
Recommended Citation
Jasim, Hadeer and Abass, Sawsan Sati
(2026)
"The incidence, clinico-epidemiological features, and prognosis of neuroblastoma. A retrospective study in Al-Imamain Al-Kadhumain Medical City,"
Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal: Vol. 25:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
DOI: 10.52573/ipmj.2025.156511
Available at:
https://ipmj.researchcommons.org/journal/vol25/iss2/2
DOI
10.52573/ipmj.2025.156511