Surgery in Treating Children With Neuroblastoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven low-risk neuroblastoma (excluding ganglioneuroma) * International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) stage 1 in all patients * INSS stage 2A or 2B in patients less than 365 days of age * INSS stage 2A or 2B tumor with nonamplified MYCN with any Shimada histology in patients ages 1 to 20 years * INSS stage 2A or 2B tumor with amplified MYCN with Shimada favorable histology in patients ages 1 to 20 years * INSS stage 4S tumors with nonamplified MYCN, Shimada favorable histology, and a DNA index not equal to 1 in patients less than 365 days of age * Immediate chemotherapy allowed prior to biopsy for patients with intradural extension and/or emergent paresis if biopsy performed within 96 hours * Must have no abnormal organ function unless due to neuroblastoma * Concurrent registration on companion biology study (protocol COG-ANBL00B1) or its successor PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Under 21 Performance status: * Not specified Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal * SGOT or SGPT less than 2.5 times normal Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.5 times normal Cardiovascular: * Shortening fraction greater than 27% by echocardiogram OR * Ejection fraction greater than 47% by radionuclide angiogram PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No prior immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: * No…