The Treatment Of Neuroblastoma With Vitamin B12

Abstract

In 1951, massive Vitamin B12 therapy was given to a patient with neuroblastoma at this hospital, with the idea that this agent might enhance the maturation of the neoplastic cells and bring about the conversion of the growth to a benign ganglioneuroma. During the course of treatment, however, a remarkable regression of the massive pelvic tumour occurred, leading eventually to its complete disappearance. Since that time, a further 27 patients with histologically verified neuroblastoma have been treated with Vitamin B12. None of these patients has been denied treatment by conventional methods (surgery and radiotherapy), but in many instances such factors as the extent or location of the primary tumour, and/or the presence of obvious metastases, have precluded their use. For such reasons the majority of the cases treated with Vitamin B12 have been “selected” because no other mode of therapy offered any prospect of arresting the disease. Summaries of Cases 25-30 which have not been included in previous issues of this Report are included.