About & Key Statistics

Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that is made up of cells that are found in nerve tissues of the body. These cells are called neuroblasts, and they are early nerve cells found most commonly in the adrenal glands (near the kidneys), and along the tissues around the spinal cord in the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. Many neuroblastomas start in the adrenal glands.

Neuroblastoma occurs most commonly in infants and children under 5 years of age, and rarely in children over 10 years of age. Very rarely, neuroblastoma occurs in adults.

This information is reproduced with permission of Cancer Australia and you can download the full Cancer Australia’s Neuroblastoma Fact Sheet here.

More information

Family support services hub - Neuroblastoma Australia
What Is Neuroblastoma? American Cancer Society
Key Statistics About Neuroblastoma American Cancer Society
What’s New in Neuroblastoma Research? American Cancer Society
Neuroblastoma survival rates based on risk groups American Cancer Society
About and key statistics downloadable PDF - American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center - American Cancer Society
What is cancer? Cancer Australia
Key statistics Cancer Australia
Australian Childhood Cancer Statistics - Cancer Council (QLD)
Cancer Australia’s National Cancer Control Indicators website - how common is childhood cancer
Key points to know about neuroblastoma PDQ Neuroblastoma Treatment

Latest

Two research grants awarded to the Children's Cancer Institute

Today we announced funding grants to two ground breaking research projects which we hope will take us a step close to finding a cure for the rare and deadly children’s cancer neuroblastoma.
Research projects for 2020

Two projects from the Children's Cancer Institute have won research grants for 2020. High-risk neuroblastoma cases with TERT oncogene rearrangement and Using MYC inhibitors to potentiate CART cell therapy for neuroblastoma.
Indianna's Story

Indianna was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma at just 12 months of age. Even while enduring high strength chemotherapy she found the strength to play peak a- boo with the nurses and charm the doctors with her smile and incredible dimples.
Amber's Story

In July 2015, four and a half year old Amber had woken up from her sleep complaining of a sore stomach – which was very out of ordinary for her.

Run2Cure 2020

Presale tickets are now open for the #funrun4everyone which will take over The Domain, Sydney on Sunday, 31 May 2020!
Accessibility
What is neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastomas are cancers that start in early nerve cells (called neuroblasts) of the sympathetic nervous system. This means that tumours can be found anywhere along this system; most commonly (about 50%) start in the adrenal glands (above the kidney), or near the spine, chest, neck or pelvis.
Detection, diagnosis & staging

Most symptoms of neuroblastoma are caused by the growth of the cancer into nearby tissues or organs, or its spread to distant parts of the body such as bones or bone marrow.
Research projects for 2020

Two projects from the Children's Cancer Institute have won research grants for 2020. High-risk neuroblastoma cases with TERT oncogene rearrangement and Using MYC inhibitors to potentiate CART cell therapy for neuroblastoma.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

This September, wear gold and join our #hope campaign to raise awareness of all forms of children's cancer and the toll it takes on the youngest members of our community and their families.
Two research grants awarded to the Children's Cancer Institute

Today we announced funding grants to two ground breaking research projects which we hope will take us a step close to finding a cure for the rare and deadly children’s cancer neuroblastoma.
Christmas Appeal 2019 - for vital research

If you would like to help all children diagnosed with neuroblastoma get the chance to grow up, please do share and support research into a cure for this terrible disease.
Zach's Story

Paolo and Diana Carniel had never heard of neuroblastoma before August 2018 when their son Zach, just five years old at the time, was first diagnosed.
Our story

Neuroblastoma Australia is a registered charity focused primarily on raising funds to improve the survival rates of neuroblastoma childhood cancer. It all started due to the inspiration of one little girl, Sienna Hoffmann. Here’s my story of how it all began.