Neuroblastoma - Childhood

Neuroblastoma accounts for 6% of all childhood cancers in the United States, with about 700 children younger than 15 diagnosed each year. It is the second most common tumor in children and the most common cancer in babies younger than one.

The overall survival rate (the percentage of people who survive after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) depends on many factors, particularly the risk grouping of the tumor. The five-year survival rate for children with low-risk neuroblastoma is higher than 95%. For children with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma, the survival rate is 80% to 90%. However, about 30% to 50% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma experience long-term survival. (See Staging and Risk Grouping for information on risk groupings.)

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of children with this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with neuroblastoma. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics.

Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society.