Neonatal Solid Tumors: Incidence and Survival in France.

BACKGROUND: Solid tumors are uncommon in the neonatal period but represent an important cause of mortality and morbidity.

PROCEDURE: Using the French National Registry of Childhood Solid Tumors database, all children, from birth to 28 days of age inclusive, with a primary malignant solid tumor diagnosed between 2000 and 2009 in mainland France were identified. Tumors were classified according to the third version of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer.

RESULTS: Of total 285 solid tumors over 10 years, the most common cancer was neuroblastoma (47%), followed by germ cell tumors (29%), central nervous system tumors (10%), and soft tissue sarcomas (8%). The annual incidence was 36.6 per million live births. No statistically significant change in time trends of incidence was observed during 2000-2009. Routine ultrasonography during pregnancy established the diagnosis in 52% of cases. Thirteen neonates (4.5%) had congenital abnormalities associated with their tumors. For all solid tumors combined, overall survival was 84.2% (95% CI, 79.4-87.9) at 1 year and 83.8% (95% CI, 79.0-87.6) at 5 years. More favorable prognosis was significantly associated with neonates treated by surgery (65% of cases) compared to those without tumor excision. However, perioperative and postoperative mortality was 8%.

CONCLUSIONS: Because of their relative rarity, there is a paucity of objective information on the epidemiology, optimal treatment, and long-term outcome of neonatal solid tumors. But to obtain a clearer picture of the epidemiology of neonatal tumors, it is essential to have some recommendations on the methodological approach used to study them.