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If your child has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, one of the first things you might wonder about is the survival rate for this type of cancer. Survival rates come from following a large group of people with the same diagnosis for a set amount of time.

Neuroblastoma survival rates can give you an idea of the life expectancy and prognosis for children in the same situation as your child. But survival rates can't say whether your child will be cured.

For the clearest and most complete picture of your child's outlook, talk about it with your child's healthcare team. The care team understands your child's overall health and can give a more personalized prognosis. Still, many parents want to know the survival rates to help them get a sense of what to expect.

Neuroblastoma survival rates

Neuroblastoma survival rates are given by risk category. This is different from other cancers that might give survival rates by cancer stage.

The healthcare team determines the risk category using the stage, the results of lab tests on the cancer cells and the child's age. The risk category tells the healthcare team whether the cancer has a low, intermediate or high risk of coming back after treatment.

Survival rates vary by risk category.

• Low-risk neuroblastoma has a five-year overall survival rate of about 98%. This means that for every 100 children diagnosed with low-risk neuroblastoma, about 98 can be expected to be living five years after their diagnosis. Most neuroblastomas in this category are localized, which means the cancer affects one area of the body.
• Intermediate-risk neuroblastoma has a five-year overall survival rate of about 96%. This category includes regional neuroblastoma, which means the cancer has grown beyond the place it started. Some cancers that spread, called metastatic neuroblastomas, also might be in this category.
• High-risk neuroblastoma has a five-year overall survival rate of about 63%. Most metastatic neuroblastomas, also called stage M, are in this category. Stage M neuroblastoma used to be called stage 4.

Studies of cancer survival rates may not include people who had the latest treatments. The studies include people who were diagnosed more than five years ago. Neuroblastoma treatment is quickly advancing to include new treatments and new ways of using existing treatments.

What you can do

Ask your child's healthcare team about things you can do to support your child's health during treatment. There is much about neuroblastoma you can't control. But you can help improve your child's sense of well-being during treatment by helping your child:

• Avoid infections. Cancer treatments can lower the number of disease-fighting cells in the body. This increases the risk of serious infections. Lower the risk by washing your hands frequently. Wash toys and surfaces your child often touches.
• Be active. Physical activity may improve mood and help with fatigue. For young children, being physically active often involves playing and dancing. Ask your healthcare team about any restrictions on activity. A physical therapist can help if your child has difficulty being active during cancer treatment.
• Feel rested. Cancer treatment often causes fatigue. Help your child manage this symptom by sticking to a regular bedtime as much as possible. Allow for extra rest when your child needs it. Physical activity helps too.
• Feel supported. Help support your child in this stressful time by being with your child as much as possible. When you can't, have someone familiar provide care. Try to maintain your usual routines as much as possible, such as allowing for playtime and having a usual bedtime.
• Get enough to eat. Cancer treatments and side effects can make it hard to eat. Buy food you know your child likes. Have snacks that are always ready in case your child feels hungry. Focus on frequent snacks rather than larger meals. Talk with your healthcare team about other ways to make sure your child gets enough nutrition.

Your child's healthcare team can connect you with healthcare professionals who can help you make sure your child feels as well as possible during cancer treatment.

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