Survival rates

Cancer survival rates tell you the percentage of people who survive a certain type of cancer for a specific amount of time. Cancer statistics often use a five-year relative survival rate. This rate compares survival among people with the cancer and survival among people in the general population.

Children with rhabdomyosarcoma generally have a better outlook than do teens and adults with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Survival rates are based on large groups of people. Your outlook may be different based on a number of factors. These include the type of rhabdomyosarcoma you have, what treatments you receive and how well those treatments work.

For children and young adults, estimated five-year survival by risk group is:

  • Very low risk. More than 90%.
  • Low risk. About 70% to more than 90%.
  • Intermediate risk. About 50% to 70%.
  • High risk. About 20% to 30%.

Rhabdomyosarcoma recurrence five or more years after successful treatment is uncommon, but it can happen.

Stage 4 survival

Stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. Many people with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma are in the high-risk group. High-risk rhabdomyosarcoma usually has a five-year survival rate of about 20% to 30%.

The survival rates can give you a general idea of how people with rhabdomyosarcoma have done over time. But they cannot show exactly what will happen for one person. Your healthcare team can explain what the survival statistics may mean for your specific situation.

Dec. 24, 2025

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