Key Statistics for Childhood Cancers
Childhood cancers make up less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed each year. About 10, 270 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades.
Because of major treatment advances in recent decades, more than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Overall, this is a huge increase since the mid-1970s, when the 5-year survival rate was about 58%. Still, survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer and other factors. The survival rates for a specific type of childhood cancer can be found in our information for that cancer type.
After accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14 . About 1, 190 children younger than 15 years old are expected to die from cancer in 2017.
Last Medical Review: August 22, 2016 Last Revised: August 22, 2016
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Cancer in Children
- What Are the Differences Between Cancers in Adults and Children?
- Key Statistics for Childhood Cancer
- Cancers that Develop in Children
- Risk Factors and Causes of Childhood Cancer
- Can Childhood Cancers Be Prevented?
- Finding Cancer in Children
- Treating Children with Cancer
- Late and Long-term effects of Cancer Treatment on Children
- References: Cancer in Children
- If Your Child Has Cancer