PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA [February 7, 2024] — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)—an alliance of leading cancer centers—today published its first ever set of treatment recommendations pertaining to neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a type of solid tumor cancer that typically occurs in early childhood, with the majority diagnosed before age five.[1] Neuroblastoma is the most common type of solid tumor (outside of brain tumors) in children, with more than 700 cases diagnosed in the United States every year.[2] Research innovations have led to survival rates that are better than 90% for patients with low- and intermediate-risk neuroblastoma and around 50% for those with high-risk disease.[3] Improving outcomes for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma and reducing long-term treatment effects for all patients remain areas of active research.
“Neuroblastoma is a biologically and clinically heterogeneous cancer, which creates many challenges for those treating patients with this disease,” said Rochelle Bagatell, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Solid Tumor Section Chief at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Chair of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) Panel for Neuroblastoma. “The NCCN Guidelines were designed to assist clinicians caring for children with neuroblastoma by providing key information regarding risk stratification and by summarizing the data that have led to the current approaches to therapy. As new clinical trial results become available and as therapies evolve, we will continue to support providers by updating the guidelines over time.”
Dr. Bagatell will be presenting an on-demand online session on the latest updates for neuroblastoma in the new NCCN Guidelines as part of the NCCN 2024 Annual Conference on April 5 – 7. Visit NCCN.org/conference to learn more and register.
“These new NCCN Guidelines for Neuroblastoma are the perfect platform for sharing how to think about this complicated disease and determine which categories of treatment should be considered for each individual patient,” explained Julie R. Park, MD, Chair, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Vice-Chair, NCCN Guidelines Panel for Neuroblastoma. “The guidelines break down how to incorporate the multi-disciplinary care that is needed, such as surgery or radiation, plus specific options for chemotherapy regimens.”
There are now 87 different NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), covering nearly every type of cancer, plus screening, prevention, and supportive care. The NCCN Guidelines® for Neuroblastoma are the 6th to focus specifically on treating pediatric cancer.
