PURPOSETo optimize treatment for children with localized resectable neuroblastoma in 21 Italian institutions using a common protocol based on previous experience.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween January 1985 and December 1992, 152 children aged 0 to 15 years with nondisseminated neuroblastoma were entered onto this study following complete resection of tumor without tumor rupture (TR) (stage 1), or resection with minimal tumor residue, and/or tumor infiltration of regional lymph nodes (LN+), and/or TR (stage 2). Of 144 assessable children, 69 were classified as having stage 1 disease and 75 as stage 2. Of stage 2 children, 49 had low-risk (LR) characteristics (age, 0 to 11 months or 1 to 15 years but negative lymph nodes and no TR). Stage 1 and stage 2 LR children did not receive adjuvant therapy. The remaining 26 stage 2 children had high-risk (HR) characteristics (age, 1 to 15 years with LN+ and/or TR) and received adjuvant chemotherapy for 6 months.RESULTSOf 144 children, three died of therapy-related compl...