What are the survival rates for high-risk neuroblastoma?

Children with high‑risk neuroblastoma have an estimated five‑year survival rate of around 1 in 2.  

This is an average figure and does not reflect the individual circumstances of each child. High‑risk neuroblastoma is a very variable disease, and outcomes depend on many factors, including age at diagnosis, tumour biology, and how the cancer responds to treatment. 

Read more about the different risk groups for neuroblastoma. 

Why survival statistics vary 

Survival rates are based on children treated over a number of years and cannot predict an individual child’s outcome. Factors that may influence prognosis include: 

• The tumour’s genetic and biological features 
• A child’s age at diagnosis
• How well the disease responds to treatment 
• A child’s overall health 

Your child’s consultant can explain how these factors relate to your child’s situation.  

Understanding survival statistics 

It is important to remember:

• Statistics describe groups of children, not individuals - they cannot predict exactly how any one child will respond   
• Published figures often reflect treatment given over many years and may not capture newer approaches 
• Care plans for high-risk neuroblastoma are tailored to each child’s situation

Reference: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/neuroblastoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html