Neuroendocrine tumours in Australia statistics

New cases

In 2021, there were 4,832 new cases of neuroendocrine tumours diagnosed in Australia (2,549 males and 2,283 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 5,719 new cases of neuroendocrine tumours will be diagnosed in Australia (3,020 males and 2,699 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 56 (or 1.8%) risk of being diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours by the age of 85 (1 in 54 or 1.9% for males and 1 in 59 or 1.7% for females).

In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 19 cases per 100,000 persons (21 for males and 17 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 21 cases per 100,000 persons (23 for males and 19 for females). The incidence rate for neuroendocrine tumours is expected to increase with age, up to 75–79 years.

The number of new cases of neuroendocrine tumours diagnosed increased from 1,173 (798 males and 375 females) in 1982 to 4,832 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 11 cases per 100,000 persons (17 for males and 6.4 for females) in 1982 to 19 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.

Deaths

In 2021, there were 2,073 deaths from neuroendocrine tumours in Australia (1,182 males and 891 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 2,303 deaths (1,255 males and 1,048 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 137 (or 0.73%) risk of dying from neuroendocrine tumours by the age of 85 (1 in 128 or 0.78% for males and 1 in 148 or 0.67% for females).

In 2021, the age-standardised mortality rate was 8.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 6.8 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 8.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (9.7 for males and 7.2 for females). The mortality rate for neuroendocrine tumours is expected to increase with age, up to 80−84 years.

The number of deaths from neuroendocrine tumours increased from 1,559 (940 males and 619 females) in 2007 to 2,073 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 9.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (12 for males and 6.8 for females) in 2007 to 8.3 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2021. 

Survival

In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours had a 53% chance (49% for males and 58% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for neuroendocrine tumours increased from 20% to 53%. 

Prevalence

At the end of 2021, there were 4,001 people living who had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours that year, 14,091 people living who had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 31,380 people living who had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).

For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.