The Epidemiology of Neuroblastoma

Book excerpt: As most of the other solid cancers in children, the distribution of Neuroblastoma risk worldwide is only partly known. In Western countries its incidence varies between 7 and 16 cases per million children and it tends to decrease increasing the age. Besides, survival of patients affected by such disease, in relation with clinical and biological characteristics, have been extensively investigated only in recent years, thanks to the making of large co-operative mulit-center research groups, while survival rates at the population are poorly investigated. The risk of developing this cancer has been related to some environmental and parental factors, but most of its etiology still remains unknown.