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Is there a future for neuroblastoma mass screening?
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan. bessho@ped.h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Medical and Pediatric Oncology
|July 29, 1998
Summary
Mass screening for neuroblastoma (NBL) in Japan detects many tumors that would spontaneously regress. This suggests current screening methods may overtreat slow-growing NBLs, impacting survival outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Screening
- Tumor Biology
Background:
- Mass screening at six months in Japan identifies numerous neuroblastoma (NBL) tumors.
- A significant proportion of these detected NBLs are estimated to regress spontaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of mass screening on NBL detection and progression.
- To determine the proportion of NBLs that regress spontaneously versus those requiring intervention.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of screening data from Japan.
- Review of existing literature on NBL tumor regression and evolution.
Main Results:
- Screening detects a substantial number of NBLs that would likely regress without intervention.
- Tumors detected via screening, if left untreated, exhibited very slow growth over three years.
- Evidence suggests a low likelihood of favorable NBLs evolving into unfavorable ones.
Conclusions:
- Mass screening may lead to the detection and potential overtreatment of indolent neuroblastoma tumors.
- The high rate of spontaneous regression in NBLs warrants careful consideration in screening and treatment strategies.