Retinoblastoma - Childhood: Statistics


ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about how many children learn they have this type of cancer each year and some general survival information. Remember, survival rates depend on several factors. To see other pages, use the menu on the side of your screen.

This year, an estimated 280 children in the United States will be diagnosed with retinoblastoma. Most children who are diagnosed with retinoblastoma are younger than five years old. Retinoblastoma makes up 3% of all cancers diagnosed in children before the age of 15.

The five-year survival rate is the percentage of children who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases. The five-year survival rate for children with retinoblastoma is 99%, but it depends on several factors, including whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of children of this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with retinoblastoma. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics.

