Neuroblastoma is by far the most common cancer in infants (younger than 1 year old). There are about 700 to 800 new cases of neuroblastoma each year in the United States. This number has remained about the same for many years.
The average age of children when they are diagnosed is about 1 to 2 years. Rarely, neuroblastoma is detected by ultrasound even before birth. About 9 out of 10 neuroblastomas are diagnosed by age 5. It is rare in people over the age of 10 years.
Statistics related to survival are discussed in Survival Rates for Neuroblastoma Based on Risk Groups.
Visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center for more key cancer statistics.
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Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2020. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2020.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2014. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2014.
National Cancer Institute. Neuroblastoma Treatment (PDQ). 2020. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/neuroblastoma/hp/neuroblastoma-treatment-pdq on March 3, 2021.
Park JR, Hogarty MD, Bagatell R, et al. Chapter 23: Neuroblastoma. 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.
Last Revised: April 28, 2021
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