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

Ava's Story #3KM

A true hero, Ava has pushed through 18 months of treatment with strength beyond her years. She is now participating in a trial with the hope it will keep her cancer free.
Nixon's Story #31KM

Diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma MYCN Amplified at just 16 months old, this amazing little man has endured an intensive treatment regime before getting the all clear in March 2019. Sadly he relapsed just a few month later. He's now taking on treatment for relapsed neuroblastoma.
Sophie's Story #9KM

Little Sophie's family had never heard of neuroblastoma when she was diagnosed in 2019. This little hero is currently undergoing immunotherapy having already endured six rounds of chemo, surgery, stem cells transplants and radiotherapy.
Declan's Story #8KM

Declan's battle with neuroblastoma began just before his fourth birthday and tragically ended just before his eighth. Loved and missed by his heartbroken family.

Run2Cure 2020

Book your Run2Cure tickets by Friday 28 February and save 25% in our Super Earlybird Sale!
Accessibility

Neuroblastoma Australia is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. Our website endeavours to conform to level Double-A of the World Wide Web Consortium W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.
Kahlilla's Story #14km

Little Lilla's light continues to shine. Always and forever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Declan's Story #8KM

Declan's battle with neuroblastoma began just before his fourth birthday and tragically ended just before his eighth. Loved and missed by his heartbroken family.