Childhood Cancers
What should people know about childhood cancers?
- In New York State, over 950 children and young adults under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer is the second leading cause of death among children, after injuries. Despite these statistics, childhood cancers are rare, making up fewer than one percent of all cancers.
- For more information on childhood cancer incidence, see Childhood Cancer Incidence Rate 2018-2022.
What are the most common types of childhood cancer?
- The most common types of cancer in children are leukemia, lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and cancers of the brain and nervous system.
- Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. Leukemia occurs when the bone marrow makes abnormal blood cells, usually white blood cells, that do not function as they should. The most common type of leukemia in children is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ALL is a cancer of the lymphocyte type of white blood cell that progresses rapidly.
- Lymphoma is cancer that starts in lymphocytes, infection-fighting cells that are a part of the body's immune system. Lymphocytes may be found in lymph nodes (small, oval-shaped organs located throughout the body) and in many organs. There are two main types of lymphoma - Hodgkin lymphoma (formerly called Hodgkin's disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is rare in young children, but is the type of lymphoma most frequently seen in teenagers. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often than Hodgkin lymphoma among younger children, but less often than Hodgkin lymphoma in teenagers.
- Tumors of the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system are the most common types of solid tumors in children. These tumors can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Because of their location, tumors of the brain and other parts of the nervous system can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
- For more information on the types of childhood cancer, see What types of cancer do children get? (PDF)
Is childhood cancer increasing?
- Rates of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in children increased slowly from 1995 through 2013 but have now leveled off.
- Death rates declined for all types of childhood cancer. The decrease was greatest for childhood leukemia. The decline in childhood cancer death rates is believed to be due to advances in treatment.
- For more information on the trends in childhood cancer, see Is childhood cancer increasing? (PDF)
Are there disparities in childhood cancer?
- Cancer occurs in children of all racial and ethnic groups. Although non-Hispanic White children are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, children of other racial and ethnic groups are less likely to survive once diagnosed.
- More research is needed to better understand and address differences in childhood cancer occurrence and survival between racial and ethnic groups.
- For more information on disparities in childhood cancer, see Are there disparities in childhood cancer? (PDF)
What factors increase a child's risk of developing cancer?
At this time, the causes of childhood cancers are not well understood. However, certain factors have been identified that increase a child's risk of developing some types of cancer. These risk factors include:
- Genetics and hereditary conditions. Certain genetic conditions and diseases that run in families have been linked with specific types of cancer in children. Neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) and the rare Li-Fraumeni cancer family syndrome have each been linked with several different childhood cancers. Children with Down syndrome are at increased risk of leukemia. The retinoblastoma gene, besides being linked with almost half of all cases of retinoblastoma, also has been linked with some cases of osteosarcoma. People with a family history of Hodgkin lymphoma or neuroblastoma are at a higher risk of these cancers.
- Ionizing radiation. Prenatal exposure to diagnostic X-rays has been associated with the development of childhood leukemia. Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation for the treatment of other conditions has been linked with brain tumors and bone cancer. In the past, ionizing radiation was used for medical purposes more than it is today. With the reduction in medical uses, the importance of ionizing radiation as a cause of childhood cancers also has declined.
- Infections. Hodgkin lymphoma in teenagers has been associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mononucleosis. However, most people who have had mononucleosis do not develop Hodgkin lymphoma. As with adults, children with AIDS or the virus that causes it (HIV) are more likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
These known risk factors together, however, only account for a small fraction of cancers in children.
What are the symptoms of childhood cancer?
Cancer in children is difficult to recognize. Parents can help ensure that childhood cancers are recognized and treated promptly by having their children see a health care provider regularly and being aware of any unusual, persistent symptoms or problems. Possible symptoms of childhood cancers include:
- an unusual mass or swelling,
- paleness and loss of energy,
- bruising easily,
- persistent pain or limping,
- unexplained fever,
- frequent headaches, especially if accompanied by vomiting,
- eye or vision changes,
- rapid weight loss.
Although any of these may be caused by other conditions or illnesses, symptoms such as these should be brought to the attention of the child's health care provider.
What else can parents do?
Parents can lay a good foundation for the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases later on in life by seeing to it that their children follow good health practices (and following these practices themselves). Good health practices include:
- Eating a healthy diet to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This includes eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and less red and processed meats (e.g., bacon, sausage, luncheon meats, hot dogs). These actions may reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer as well as other diseases.
- Exercising regularly.
- Finding out about the benefits and risks of diagnostic scanning to avoid unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. This is especially important for children and pregnant women.
- Not smoking and avoiding exposures to secondhand smoke. People who currently smoke should quit. For more information on quitting smoking, visit the NYS Smoker's Quitline at www.nysmokefree.com or call 1-866-NY-QUITS.
What is being done to fight childhood cancers?
Research is going on at institutions throughout New York State and the nation to further the gains made in treating childhood cancers. Most children with cancer are now seen at specialized cancer treatment centers. At these centers, most patients are offered the chance to take part in clinical trials to test out promising new treatments. The federally supported Children's Oncology Group offers clinical trials for most types of childhood cancer at 14 childhood cancer treatment centers across New York.
