Mutations in the tumour suppressor gene TP53, which has implications for tumorigenesis in many other tumour types (Nigro et al, 1989; Levine et al, 1991), are rare in primary neuroblastoma tumours (Imamura et al, 1993; Komuro et al, 1993; Vogan et al, 1993; Hosoi et al, 1994). The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is neuroblastoma.