Of all the diagnostic tests listed above, the test for urinary catecholamine metabolites is non-invasive, inexpensive, and easy. So, why not use it to screen all children for neuroblastoma?
Screening studies have been conducted in Japan, England, and parts of North America. The studies check the urine of infants for abnormal levels of catecholamines, in the hope of earlier detection to improve prognosis. However, whether or not this is effective depends on whom you ask. Many oncologists disagree on the benefits of such a test. There have been instances of false positives, and this is where many of them take issue. A study in Kyoto, Japan, demonstrated that mass screening can improve the survival rate for diagnosed neuroblastomas. However, a study done in England did not yield the same results. Out of 20,829 children tested, 2 showed positive for the disease, 8 were false positives, and 3 were missed all together on screening, but later presented with the disease. The study concluded that this type of screening is possible, but requires more study.” Children picked up as having neuroblastoma through screening tend to have excellent prognostic indicators. These children hav
