Survival Rates for Rhabdomyosarcoma by Risk Group
Survival rates are a way to measure how many people survive a certain type of cancer over time. They cannot tell you exactly what will happen with any one person, but they may help give you a better understanding of how likely it is that treatment will be successful.
What is a 5-year survival rate?
The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of people who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Of course, people may live much longer than 5 years (and many are cured).
To get 5-year survival rates, doctors must look at people who were treated at least 5 years ago. Changes in treatment since then may result in a better outlook for people diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) today.
Survival rates for rhabdomyosarcoma
For a person with RMS, the risk group is important in estimating their outlook. Other factors, such as a person’s age and how well the cancer responds to treatment, also play a role.
The overall 5-year survival rate for children with RMS is about 70%. RMS is often more difficult to treat in adults and may have a worse outlook. Here are general survival statistics based on risk groups. These numbers come from past clinical trials treating children and young adults with RMS.
Low-risk group
Overall, the survival rate for children in the low-risk group ranges from about 70% to over 90%. The survival rate varies based on tumor location, stage, and other factors. For example, the recently defined very low-risk group in new clinical trials has greater than 90% survival rates.
Intermediate-risk group
For those in the intermediate-risk group, the survival rates range from about 50% to 70%. The rate varies based on tumor location, stage, and the age of the child. (Children aged 1 to 9 years tend to do better than older or younger children.)
High-risk group
The survival rate in this group is generally around 20% to 30%. It is important to note that other factors, such as the patient’s age and the location and type of tumor, can affect these numbers.
Even when taking risk groups and other factors into account, survival rates are estimates. Your cancer care team is your best source of information on this topic, as they know your situation best.
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Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Haduong JH, Heske CM, Allen‐Rhoades W, et al. An update on rhabdomyosarcoma risk stratification and the rationale for current and future children’s Oncology Group Clinical Trials. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2022;69(4).
Linardic CM, Wexler, LH. Chapter 25: Rhabdomyosarcoma. In: Blaney SM, Adamson PC, Helman LJ, eds. Pizzo and Poplack’s Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2021.
McEvoy MT, Siegel DA, Dai S, et al. Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma incidence and survival in the United States: An assessment of 5656 cases, 2001–2017. Cancer Med. 2022;12(3):3644-3656.
Raney RB, Anderson JR, Barr FG, et al. Rhabdomyosarcoma and undifferentiated sarcoma in the first two decades of life: a selective review of intergroup rhabdomyosarcoma study group experience and rationale for Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study V. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2001;23(4):215-220.
Last Revised: June 2, 2025
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