Evaluation of Neuroblastoma Mass Screening in Gunma Prefecture

Background : Neuroblastoma mass screening was started in Gunma Prefecture in 1984. In this report, the prognosis of neuroblastoma patients is discussed to determine whether improvements have occurred since mass screening was introduced. Material and method : Neuroblastoma mass screening was conducted on 6-months-infants by measuring urine VMA and HVA. Those whose results were high were referred to a hospital for a neuroblastoma workup. Neuroblastoma prognosis was evaluated compared to those detected by mass screening with others diagnosed in other than mass screening. Result : Of 343, 812 samples mass-screened by March 2003, 2, 800 cases were closely examined and 65 of these diagnosed with neuroblastoma. As of March 2003, neuroblastoma cases numbered 97 cases, of which screening had detected 67.0%. Many of the cases detected in mass screening were in early stages. Negative mass screening cases numbered 14 (14.4%). Six of 10 deaths (60%) were in this negative mass screening group. Conclusion : Although the number of neuroblastoma cases increased after mass screening was introduced, the number of advanced neuroblastoma cases did not decrease. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan therefore decided that neuroblastoma mass screening should be halted from April 2004.