Childhood cancer is rare, about 1 in every 600 children develop cancer before the age of 15. Childhood cancer is not a single disease – there are many different types. Compared with adult cancers they tend to have different histologies and occur in different sites of the body . Common adult cancers such as lung, breast, colon, and stomach are extremely rare among children. On the other hand some types of cancer are almost exclusively found in children, especially embryonal tumours which arise from cells associated with the foetus, embryo, and developing body.

The chart shows the proportions of different types of childhood cancers – based on UK data from The National Registry of Childhood Tumours

How do you know? Sometimes, your child’s doctor may be able to spot early symptoms of cancer at regular checkups. However, some of these symptoms (such as fever, swollen glands, frequent infections, anemia, or bruises) are also associated with other infections or conditions that are not cancer. Because of this, it is not uncommon for both doctors and parents to suspect other childhood illnesses when cancer symptoms first appear.

‘Children’s Cancer Website’  http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/guide2c.htm

KidsHealth for parents ‘Childhood Cancer’ http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/cancer.html

Once cancer has been diagnosed, it is important for parents to seek help for their child at a medical center that specializes in pediatric oncology, or treatment for childhood cancer.