Pediatric oncology: model tumors of unparalleled import.

Molecular studies of tumors arising during childhood have provided insights important for our understanding of the genetic and cellular events that now seem likely to mediate the development of many different malignancies. Of particular interest have been recent studies using recombinant DNA technology to study the pressure genetic alterations now thought to be central features of oncogenesis. Oncogenes and recessive cancer genes, first recognized to be of clinical importance during the study of Burkitt's lymphoma and retinoblastoma, are now thought to play a role in the development of most, if not all, tumors. Studies to identify more effective approaches to cancer prevention, detection, staging, and treatment are now seeking to build upon an understanding of those genetic alterations. It can be expected that pediatric oncology will once again play a pivotal role as these studies mature into clinical trials.