Neuroblastoma Screening Test May Do More Harm Than Good

Extract

Shortly after researchers developed a simple urine test to detect neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system primarily found in children younger than age 5, Japan became the first country to mandate screening all infants for the disease. At the time — about a decade ago —some American pediatricians voiced their support, stating that the United States should follow Japan's lead.

Other investigators were not convinced. They felt that more research was needed before instituting a massive U.S. screening program. Now, a study published in the Dec. 21, 1996, issue of The Lancet suggests that their skepticism was justified.

The study, supported by the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Institute of Canada and carried out in the province of Quebec, addressed the utility of the neuroblastoma test, which detects increased levels of catecholamine metabolites. As in Japan, the test was done on a blot of an infant's diaper at 3 weeks and 6 months of age.