[The use of neuron specific enolase in the prognosis and followup of neuroblastoma in children. Results of a retrospective series of 21 patients]

To report the results of seric neuron specific enolase in pediatric neuroblastoma.Our retrospective study concerns 21 children treated in our institution from 1992 to 1998 for neuroblastoma. Seric NSE was determined by immunoenzymology technique at different stages of the disease and the treatment.Mean value for the 39 dosages of the whole patients was 127.9 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 56%, five patients has presented normal values. Mean value for the 18 patients in stage IV was 132.38 ng/ml. We also observed in 3 patients, an evolution of the seric NSE parallel to this of the disease under chemotherapy.NSE represents a moderate sensitive and specific tumor marker for pediatric neuroblastoma. However, it represents a good value in prognosis and follow-up after chemotherapy.