Children's cancer
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that affects children. It mostly affects children under the age of 5 years. Around 100 children between the ages of 0 and 14 years are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year in the UK. Very rarely it can develop in older children, teenagers and adults.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that starts in a type of nerve cell called a neuroblast.
‘neuro’ means nerve
‘blast’ means cells in early development
‘oma’ means a group of cells, or a tumour
Neuroblastoma often starts in the tummy (abdomen), commonly in:
the
the nerve tissue at the back of the abdomen
Like other cancers it can spread to other parts of the body.
The most common places are the bones, liver, skin and . It spreads through the blood and .
This happens in about half (about 50%) of children with neuroblastoma. In the other half (about 50%) neuroblastoma is a single tumour in one place in the body.
We don’t know exactly what causes neuroblastoma. In some cases, there is a family history. But these cases are very rare.
Parents of children with cancer can sometimes worry about what caused their child's cancer. And some worry about whether it could have been something they did, or didn’t do. We don’t know what causes, or how to prevent, most childhood cancers. This includes neuroblastoma. No one should feel to blame.
Read more about the possible causes and risks of cancer in children
Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy are the main treatments for neuroblastoma. Find out how doctors work out your child's treatment.
Treatment of neuroblastoma depends on which risk group your child is in. Find out what treatment your child is likely to have based on their risk group.
There are a number of treatment options for neuroblastoma that has not gone away with treatment, or has come back.
Researchers are looking at improving the diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma. Find out about the research that is happening.
Get information on organisations and resources that can help you and your family cope with a diagnosis of neuroblastoma.
More children are surviving neuroblastoma as treatments have improved over the last 20 years. Read about the possible long term effects of treatment.
Last reviewed: 19 Mar 2025
Next review due: 19 Mar 2028
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