Neuroblastoma: the case for screening infants in North America
Woods, W.G.; Tuchman, M.
Pediatrics 79(6): 869-873
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 3588142 Document Number: 291107
Neuroblastoma is a disease in which easily measured tumor markers are excreted. It is curable when diagnosed in an early stage and at an early age, and it has a high incidence relative to other serious childhood diseases. Recent advances in screening infants for neuroblastoma by detection of urinary homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid, the most useful markers of neuroblastoma, are described. Based on results from Japan's mass-screening program and on the authors' observations, it is estimated that mass screening for neuroblastoma could save 260 lives annually in the United States.