What is known?
Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour occurring in childhood (behind brain tumours). The biology of neuroblastoma is diverse, with age, stage, and tumour type used to define treatment and prognosis.
What is new?
The data presented in this study represent a complete picture of neuroblastoma over the last three decades for all Australian patients under the age of 15. We observed that the proportion of children with advanced disease at diagnosis has decreased by one-third.
Overall survival has improved markedly over time, even after accounting for differences in stage at diagnosis. Survival was particularly poor, however, for neuroblastoma patients who suffered relapse.
What does this mean?
Despite the improvements seen over recent decades, survival for neuroblastoma remains lower than for most other types of childhood cancer. New therapies for neuroblastoma are on the horizon that may offer a more positive outcome for all patients.
Contact: Danny Youlden
Reference: Youlden DR, Jones BC, Cundy TP, Karpelowsky J, Aitken JF, McBride CA. Incidence and outcomes of neuroblastoma in Australian children: A population-based study (1983-2015). Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2020; 56(7):1046-1052.