Cooperative group trials in pediatric oncology: the surgeon's role.

The early history of the pediatric cooperative group trials is reviewed, and the surgeons who played a critical role in their formation are discussed. The vital information provided from the tumor specimens submitted as part of the protocols is presented, as well as how this information advanced our management of infants and children treated on current protocols of the Children's Oncology Group. Finally, a survey of the surgeons currently active in the clinical trials defined the "critical lessons" learned from the sequence of protocols by the cooperative groups which have advanced our surgical treatment of patients today.