What are the survival rates for refractory neuroblastoma?

Refractory neuroblastoma has a lower long-term survival rate than other risk groups. Published estimates suggest that the 5-year survival rate for refractory neuroblastoma is around 20 in 100.  

Refractory disease means the neuroblastoma has not responded to standard frontline treatments, which makes it more difficult to manage and more unpredictable. 

Why survival rates are lower in refractory disease 

Around half of children with high‑risk neuroblastoma either have disease that does not respond to initial treatment (refractory disease) or see the cancer come back later (relapsed disease). Refractory disease tends to be harder to treat because: 

• The cancer has already shown resistance to standard therapies 
• Tumour biology may be more aggressive 
• Fewer evidence‑based treatment options exist 
• Responses to additional therapies can be unpredictable 

Read more about refractory neuroblastoma.

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 refractory neuroblastoma are highly individual and tailored to each child’s situation 

Reference: Schrey, Dominik MD*; Vaidya, Sucheta J. MD*; Levine, Daniel MB ChB†; Pearson, Andrew D. J. MD*,‡; Moreno, Lucas MD, PhD*,‡,§. Additional Therapies to Improve Metastatic Response to Induction Therapy in Children With High-risk Neuroblastoma. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 37(3):p e150-e153, April 2015. | DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000308