Diagnostic ultrasound in pediatric oncology

Sonography is an extremely versatile diagnostic tool for the assessment of cancer in children, offering several advantages over other imaging modalities, chief of which is its truly noninvasive nature. In view of the available comparative studies and the risk/benefit and cost/benefit ratios of the imaging procedures available, ultrasound is attractive for use as the initial study of many pediatric mass lesions. Its availability, ease of application, and lower cost also favor its use in the assessment of the child with known or suspected malignancy.