ABSTRACT
A general account of questions relating to neuroblastoma is followed by the presentation of 53 personal cases observed between 1955 and 1974. Appraisal of the salient data offers information relating to prognosis and treatment in line with the more extensive series presented in the U.S. literature and elsewhere. Cases diagnosed and treated in the first year of life have a distinctly encouraging prognosis. It is felt that accurate clinical, radiological and laboratory screening should be relied upon in individual cases to decide whether or not surgical management is indicated, whereas the high rate of intra- and post-operative mortality would seem to militate against the resort to desperate attempts to achieve total extirpation, accompanied by damage to essential structures, especially since the pratical results achieved are no more than comparable with those offered by conservative surgery. It is hoped that a strip test suitable for use in routine practice will be evolved, bearing in mind the peculiar features of neuroblastomas.
