International variations in the incidence of neuroblastoma

Abstract

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has coordinated a worldwide study of childhood cancer incidence, with data from over 50 countries. We present here the results for neuroblastoma. In predominantly white Caucasian populations the age-standardized rate was 7-12 per million, and 6-10% of all childhood cancers were neuroblastomas. Rates were highest in the first year of life (25-50 per million, 30% of total neuroblastoma incidence), and decreased with age to 15-20 per million (50% of the total) at age 1-4, 2-4 per million (15%) at 5-9 and 1-1.5 per million (5%) at 10-14. In the United States, black children had an incidence of 8.5 per million compared with 11.5 among Whites; Blacks tended to be older than Whites at diagnosis. The highest rate in Africa was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (8.0 per million) and the lowest in West Nile, Uganda, with no cases registered. Incidence in Israel was similar to that in many white populations, with Jews having a particularly high rate. In other parts of West Asia neuroblastoma had a low relative frequency, suggesting that incidence is low. Rates were also low throughout much of southern and eastern Asia, including India and China. Incidence in Japan was somewhat higher, though less than in Western countries, with the deficit most pronounced in the first year of life; these data relate to the period before mass screening of infants for neuroblastoma in the regions concerned. Incidence was generally higher in regions and among ethnic groups enjoying a higher standard of living, though previous studies within single countries had suggested that neuroblastoma is more common among less affluent groups. Blacks in Africa and the United States may have a weaker genetic predisposition to neuroblastoma, but some of the deficit in many developing countries is likely to be due to under-diagnosis.

Overview and recent advances in the treatment of neuroblastoma

“…The estimated incidence of neuroblastoma is 10.5 cases per million children under 15 years of age in North America and Europe, with minimal ethnic or geographic variability [1][2][3][4]. Neuroblastoma accounts for approximately 10% of all pediatric cancers but unfortunately also accounts for up to 15% of deaths in children from cancer.…”

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of zingiberene on different neuron cell lines in vitro

“…The incidence is 10.5 per million children under 15 years of age per year, with little variation between Europe and North America, and there are 700 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year (Stiller and Parkin 1992;Brodeur 2003). NBs grow rapidly; often giving rise to metastasis (Wassberg et al 1999).…”

177Lu-DOTATATE Molecular Radiotherapy for Childhood Neuroblastoma

“…Neurobl astoma accounts for 6%-10% of all childhood cancers (1). Neuroblastomas show heterogeneity of behavior, with some regressing spontaneously and others progressing, despite intensive multimodality therapy.…”