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Neuroblastoma mass screening: the arguments for and against
1Department of Oncology and Hematology, Pediatric Center Olgahospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Mass screening for neuroblastoma in infants is feasible but has not yet reduced mortality. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine if early detection improves outcomes for this childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Screening
- Public Health
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is the second most common childhood malignancy.
- Prognosis heavily depends on tumor stage at diagnosis, with low survival for disseminated disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of mass screening in infants for improving neuroblastoma prognosis.
- To assess the feasibility and impact of early detection strategies for neuroblastoma.
Main Methods:
- Review of mass screening pilot studies conducted in Japan, Canada, and several European and Australasian countries.
- Analysis of incidence rates, detection of advanced disease, and biological markers in screened populations.
Main Results:
- Screening at 6 months of age appears to double or triple neuroblastoma incidence without decreasing advanced disease rates.
- Pilot studies confirm feasibility but show no significant mortality reduction to date.
- Screened cases often have favorable biological markers; few with unfavorable markers (e.g., MYCN amplification) are detected.
Conclusions:
- Current mass screening for neuroblastoma in infants is feasible but has not yet demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality.
- Larger screening programs with robust cancer registries are necessary to definitively assess the value of early detection.