Is stage 4 neuroblastoma curable?

Sometimes: Stage 4 nb in children over 18 months of age is usually treated aggressively with chemotherapy, then surgery. This is followed with consolidation with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant and then radiation. Finally, the patient receives minimal residual disease therapy with anti-gd2 monoclonal antibody with cytokines and accutane, for 86% 2 year overall survival.

Risk matters: Stage 4 neuroblastoma (nb) can be classified as being intermediate or high risk, depending on a number of variables such as age and defined biological characteristics of the tumor. As it stands now, ~50% of children with high risk stage 4 nb are cured with very intensive therapy. The cure rate for intermediate risk is better at ~85%.