MASS-SCREENING FOR NEUROBLASTOMA TARGETING CHILDREN AGE 14 MONTHS IN SAPPORO CITY - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

BACKGROUND. In Sapporo City a mass screening program for neuroblastoma targeting children age 6 months (6-MS) was initially introduced in 19 81. Since April 1991, an additional program has been implemented, aime d at children age 14 months (14-MS). METHODS. High performance liquid chromatography was employed in the 14-MS. Identification of cases was dependent on the Registry of Childhood Malignancies in the Hokkaido Pr efecture. RESULTS. Of the 85,783 live births in Sapporo City during th e period 1990-1994, a total of 56,444 participated in the 14-MS (compl iance rate, 65.8%). By the end of 1996, of 48,448 children who had pre viously taken part in the 6-MS, 6 cases were identified in the 14-MS, and 1 additional case screened negative but was later diagnosed clinic ally. Two more cases were detected in the 14-MS among the 7996 childre n who had not participated in the 6-MS. Though the incidence of cases identified by the 14-MS was much higher than expected, several true-po sitive cases had unfavorable histology (as defined by Shimada's classi fication), a high dopamine level, and/or a high homovanillic acid/vani llylmandelic acid ratio. CONCLUSIONS. Mass screening of children age 1 4 months for neuroblastoma detects cases missed or unscreened at age 6 months, though the detection rate appears to be in excess of what wou ld be expected from natural incidence. (C) 1998 American Cancer Societ y.