Neuroblastoma: A clinical review.

Objective: Due to the poor results achieved on combination chemotherapy and the unproven cost-effectiveness value of myeloablative therapy, the question has been raised; should patients with stage IV neuroblastoma be actively treated? The aim of the current study is to analyze retrospectively treatment results of 43 children with neuroblastoma with special stress on the rate and duration of remission in children with disseminated neuroblastoma.

Methods: Treatment of children with neuroblastoma consisted of surgical removal of the tumor, if possible, followed by chemotherapy for unresectable residual tumor including metastases. Second look surgery was performed to resect residual masses rendered resectable on chemotherapy in the absence of distal metastases.

Neuroblastoma.

Objective: Due to the poor results achieved on combination chemotherapy and the unproven cost-effectiveness value of myeloablative therapy, the question has been raised; should patients with stage IV neuroblastoma be actively treated? The aim of the current study is to analyze retrospectively treatment results of 43 children with neuroblastoma with special stress on the rate and duration of remission in children with disseminated neuroblastoma.

Methods: Treatment of children with neuroblastoma consisted of surgical removal of the tumor, if possible, followed by chemotherapy for unresectable residual tumor including metastases. Second look surgery was performed to resect residual masses rendered resectable on chemotherapy in the absence of distal metastases.

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma referred for radioiodine therapy.

Objective: The current work was conducted to study the disease status and treatment results of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma referred for radioactive iodine therapy.

Methods: Retrospective review of 78 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma referred for radioiodine therapy in the Nuclear Medicine Unit, King Abdulaziz Hospital and Oncology Center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Analysis of the clinicopathologic characteristics, age correlation to different risk factors, treatment protocol and results were performed.

Fever and granulocytopenia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia under induction therapy.

Objective: Infection is one of the most serious complications of cancer therapy. The rationale of using broad spectrum antibiotics prophylactically has led to a great change in the causative organisms. The aim of the present study is to review retrospectively the type and sequence of infectious complications among Saudi children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

HELLP syndrome: Clinical profile of seven patients.

HELLP syndrome is a multi-organ disorder unique to pregnancy. It is characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets in patients with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. In King Abdulaziz Oncology Center, Jeddah, seven patients with HELLP syndrome were admitted over a period of four years (1991-94).