Research has shown there are differences in the types of cancers that develop in children and the types diagnosed in adults. Many adult cancers are linked to lifestyle-related risk factors, environmental risk factors that lead to gene changes, or inherited gene mutations. But, most childhood cancers are different, and their causes are not known.
Even when kids have a cancer type that adults can also get, it is often treated differently. In addition, children have their own emotional and coping needs that must be taken into consideration so they can get the best care and support during their cancer experience.
The most common childhood cancer is leukemia. There are several types of leukemia, including acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which start in the bone marrow or blood. Leukemia may cause bone and joint pain, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, bleeding or bruising, fever, weight loss, and other symptoms. Other cancer types that can occur in children include:
Children can also develop other types of cancer. Rarely, these can include cancers that are much more common in adults.
Other signs and symptoms of cancer in children include an unusual lump or swelling, an ongoing pain in one area of the body, limping, frequent headaches (often with vomiting), and sudden eye or vision changes.
An estimated 11,050 children under age 15 in the US will be diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Most of them will be treated at a pediatric medical center by a team of experts in pediatric oncology. Most pediatric centers also have psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, therapists, educators, and other specialists who can support the entire family.
Coping with cancer diagnosis and treatment is different for every child. Talk with the health care team about what works best for your child’s age group. Parents also know what works bests for their child and can share their ideas with the health care team to create a plan for helping them.
Here are some basic ideas to help children of all ages:
Many children’s cancers tend to respond well to treatments, and more than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. However, responses to treatment and survival rates differ depending on the type of cancer and other factors. And cancer treatments can cause long-term side effects, so children who have had cancer will need careful follow-up for the rest of their lives.
Risks for late effects of cancer treatment are specific to each child and are determined by a number of factors, such as the type of cancer, the specific cancer treatments and doses used, and the child’s age at the time of treatment. Some side effects don’t show up until months or years after treatment ends. That’s why they are sometimes called late effects or long-term outcomes. If your child is being treated for cancer, it’s important to discuss what these possible effects might be with your child’s medical team. Some possible late effects of cancer treatment include:
Parents of newly diagnosed cancer patients may naturally tend to focus on getting through the treatment itself. But information about late effects is important, and parents should pay attention to the doctor’s explanation of their child’s individual risk. If the doctor doesn’t bring up anything about late effects, parents should ask about it.
After treatment, the health care team will set up a schedule for regular follow-up exams and tests. As time goes by, the risk of the cancer coming back goes down, and doctor visits might be needed less often. But they are still important because some side effects of treatment might not show up until years later.
To help raise awareness of late effects and improve follow-up care of childhood cancer survivors throughout their lives, the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) has developed long-term follow-up guidelines for survivors of childhood cancers. These guidelines can help you know what signs and symptoms to watch for, what types of screening tests should be done to look for problems, and how late effects can be treated.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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