Table 1
The international neuroblastoma staging system
| Stage | Tumour characteristics |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Localised tumour with complete gross excision, with or without microscopic residual disease; representative ipsilateral lymph nodes negative for tumour microscopically (nodes attached to and removed with the primary tumour may be positive) |
| Stage 2A | Localised tumour with incomplete gross excision: representative ipsilateral non-adherent lymph nodes negative for tumour microscopically |
| Stage 2B | Localised tumour with or without complete gross excision, with ipsilateral non-adherent lymph nodes positive for tumour. Enlarged contralateral lymph nodes must be negative microscopically |
| Stage 3 | Unresectable unilateral tumour, infiltrating across the midline, with or without regional lymph node involvement; or localised unilateral tumour with contralateral regional lymph node involvement; or midline tumour with bilateral extension by infiltration or lymph node involvement |
| Stage 4 | Any primary tumour with dissemination to distant lymph nodes, bone, bone marrow, liver, and/or other organs (except as defined for stage 4s) |
| Stage 4s | Localised primary tumour (as defined for stage 1, 2A, or 2B), with dissemination limited to liver, skin, and/or bone marrow (limited to infants <1 year of age) |
