Statistics around neuroblastoma

Content warning: This page contains information relating to the survival rates and outcomes for children with neuroblastoma. It is important to remember that although these statistics are helpful to understand what you are facing, they do not give the full or definitive picture of your specific situation.

Who is affected by neuroblastoma?

Around 100 children in the UK are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year. This is equal to six out of 100 of all childhood cancer diagnoses.

Nine in 10 cases of neuroblastoma occur in children under the age of five. Neuroblastoma in teenagers and adults occurs much less often.

In the 100 diagnoses of neuroblastoma in the UK each year, around half will be either low or intermediate-risk, and half will be high-risk.

What are the survival rates for neuroblastoma?

The five-year survival rate for neuroblastoma is around 7 in 10. This however is an average statistic, and neuroblastoma is a highly variable disease, and survival rates differ significantly based on the risk-type of disease.

• Low-risk group: Children in the low-risk group have a five-year survival rate that is higher than 95%.
• Intermediate-risk group: Children in the intermediate-risk group have a five-year survival rate of around 90% to 95%.
• High-risk group: Children in the high-risk group have a five-year survival rate of around 50%.

Statistics around recurring and treatment-resistant neuroblastoma

Around half of children who have high-risk neuroblastoma, have disease that is resistant to standard therapies (refractory), or will come back after treatment has finished (relapse).

In cases of relapsed neuroblastoma, the chance of survival is around one in 10.

If you have been affected by neuroblastoma and need support, our Family Support team can help.

References

1. NCRAS Children’s, teenagers and young adults UK cancer statistics report 2021
2. American Cancer Society
3. Maris JM. Recent advances in neuroblastoma. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 10