A multidisciplinary team care approach improves outcomes in high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma patients

Hsiu Hao Chang, Yen Lin Liu, Meng Yao Lu, Shiann Tarng Jou, Yung Li Yang, Dong Tsamn Lin, Kai Hsin Lin, Kai Yuan Tzen, Ruoh Fang Yen, Ching Chu Lu, Chia Ju Liu, Steven Shinn Forng Peng, Yung Ming Jeng, Shiu Feng Huang, Hsinyu Lee, Hsueh Fen Juan, Chuan Min Huang, Yung Feng Liao, Ya Ling Lee, Wen Ming Hsu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We assessed the impact of a multidisciplinary team care program on treatment outcomes in neuroblastoma patients. Newly diagnosed neuroblastoma patients received treatment under the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG) N2002 protocol at the National Taiwan University Hospital beginning in 2002. A multidisciplinary team care approach that included nurse-led case management for patients treated under this protocol began in January 2010. Fifty-eight neuroblastoma patients, including 29 treated between 2002 and 2009 (Group 1) and 29 treated between 2010 and 2014 (Group 2), were enrolled in the study. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates for all 58 patients were 59% and 54.7%, respectively. Group 2 patients, who were treated after implementation of the multidisciplinary team care program, had better 3-year EFS (P = 0.046), but not OS (P = 0.16), rates than Group 1 patients. In a multivariate analysis, implementation of the multidisciplinary team approach was the only significant independent prognostic factor for neuroblastoma patients. In further subgroup analyses, the multidisciplinary team approach improved EFS, but not OS, in patients with stage 4 disease, those in the high-risk group, and those with non-MYCN amplified tumors. These data indicate a multidisciplinary team care approach improved survival outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma patients. However, further investigation will be required to evaluate the long-term effects of this approach over longer follow-up periods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4360-4372
Number of pages13
JournalOncotarget
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • High-risk
  • Multidisciplinary team care
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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