Screening for neuroblastoma: progress and pitfalls.

The primary goal of cancer screening is to identify tumors in their earlier and, presumably, more curable stages. Mass screening has been recommended for the early detection of several adult malignancies, including cancers of the colon, breast, cervix, and prostate. In the past two decades, population screening has been implemented in several countries for the early detection of neuroblastoma, one of the most common pediatric cancers, and a great deal has been learned about the strengths and limitations of screening. Here, we review and discuss the neuroblastoma screening experience.