This book addresses neuroblastoma, a type of embryonic tumor derived from neural crest cells and one of the most frequent extra-cranial solid tumors in children. However, the term also describes a heterogeneous group of tumors, the prognosis of which can differ greatly according to age, stage and biology. Some forms undergo spontaneous regression, and some are cured by surgery alone or after chemo-reduction, while others exhibit extremely aggressive behavior. Their successful treatment is one of the best examples of tailored medicine, which involves close collaboration between pediatric surgeons, pediatric oncologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, biologists, oncogeneticists and radiotherapists.   

Sabine Sarnacki (M.D, Ph.D) is a Professor and Head of the Pediatric Surgery Unit at Necker Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris. She has been engaged in pediatric surgical oncology for more than 15 years and is particularly interested in neuroblastoma, neonatal and rare tumors. She has headed the surgical subcommittee of SIOPEN (International Society of Paediatric Oncology European Neuroblastoma) since 2013 . She has extensive experience in transplantation immunology, enteric nervous system development and preservation of fertility. She is the scientific director of the Parisian School of Surgery and involved in the national master of surgical research program. Further, she is the head of the national reference colorectal center 'MAREP' (Malformation AnoRectale et Pelvienne) created in 2007 during the first French National Rare Disease Plan, and was nominated by the French Health Ministry to lead the health part of the second French National Rare Disease Plan.

Luca Pio (M.D.) is a Fellow of Pediatric Surgical Oncology at Necker Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris. Since the beginning of his residency at Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital in Genoa, he has been involved in the clinical and research aspects of neuroblastoma. He is an executive board member of the surgical subcommittee of SIOPEN, a member of the IPSO (International Society of Paediatric Surgical Oncology) and a member of the EUPSA (European Paediatric Surgeons' Association). Since 2017 Dr. Luca Pio is the chairman of the GYPSE (Group of Young Pediatric Surgeons of Europe).