[Focus on neuroblastoma in 1987. 2: Treatment]

Chemotherapy and surgery are both important for the treatment of neuroblastoma. The therapeutic indications depend upon the anatomic form of the tumor, but the quality of the surgical resection is most important. In metastatic neuroblastoma, the prognosis has recently been improved with massive chemotherapy, total body irradiation and bone marrow transplantation. Neuroblastoma occurring before one year of age has a particular position, because of its very good prognosis (90% survivals) but with frequent sequelae due to spinal cord compression. Possible improvements stemming from immunology, genetics and mass screening are discussed.