Decrease in childhood neuroblastoma death in Japan

Death statistics cards under 15 years of age submitted between 1979 and 1987 and coded as malignant neoplasms of organs or sites, in which neuroblastoma might affect, were inspected. A total of 1,037 cases of neuroblastoma death were identified. Total number of neuroblastoma deaths among those under 15 years of age ranged between 118 and 145 from 1979 to 1984. However, after 1985 the number of deaths showed a declining tendency, down to 89 in both 1985 and 1986 and totalling only 93 in 1987. This declining tendency was mostly-seen among children between 1 to 4 years of age. In this age group, the rate of death in 1987 was about one half of that in 1979; In the other age groups no declining tendency of neuroblastoma death was found. The reason for the decrease in neuroblastoma death among children in Japan may be a result of widespread mass-screening for neuroblastoma. However, further study is necessary before any final conclusions can be drawn.