Most children with cancer are treated at large pediatriccancer centers that offer clinical trials run by the Children's Oncology Group (COG). The COG was formed by the merger of 4 pediatric cancer research organizations:

• the Children's Cancer Group
• the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group
• the National Wilms Tumor Study Group
• the Pediatric Oncology Group

The COG is an international group of more than 235 pediatric cancer centers that develop research guidelines, do research (clinical trials), and review their treatment outcomes. Dedicated researchers, nurses, and doctors of the COG treat young patients and then report their results to an operations center. These data are reviewed and shared with all the medical experts in the network.

At each COG cancer center, patients with the same cancer diagnoses are treated exactly the same way, according to detailed guidelines (called protocols). By doing this and comparing all the results, COG can get answers to important medical and scientific questions faster than researchers working alone. Children treated at these centers have better outcomes and better survival rates.

For many years COG clinical trials have been supported by funds raised by the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF). Together NCCF and COG represent CureSearch. Their shared vision is to reach the day when every child with cancer can be promised a cure.

Along with a hospital directory, the CureSearch Web site (www.curesearch.org) also offers information for patients, parents, family, and friends about childhood cancers. The site also has updates on clinical trials and treatments, and includes links to helpful sites for children, an e-newsletter, survivor guidelines, and public awareness programs.

Last Medical Review: 08/21/2009
Last Revised: 08/21/2009