In 2005, Donna Ludwinski went searching out some numbers. Here is what she could find:-
"High-risk neuroblastoma is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, and the cure rate is still dismal. All numbers are for the US:
650 new cases of NB every year
300,000,000 total population
1 NB per 460,000 person (all ages) per year
152,700 pediatricians in the US (Bureau of labor statistics - 2002)
1 NB case per 230 pediatricians per year.
This means in a 40-year career, only 1 out of every 6 pediatricians have EVER SEEN ONE CASE OF NB!
Now look at pediatric oncologists:
801 pediatric oncologists (estimated members of The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology-- actually there are many more that are not members)
650 cases NB per year, seen by 801 pediatric oncologist.
The average pediatric oncologist sees less than one new NB case per year.
238 US COG (Children’s Oncology Group) institutions, and if every NB case is treated at COG institution, each sees only 3 cases of NB per year.
And we wonder why the general public says "neuro-what?"
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