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2014 Childhood Cancer Statistics – 10 Key Facts

American Cancer Society researchers’ 2014 special report on childhood cancer summarizes the progress made and challenges ahead in fighting childhood and adolescent cancers. The report was produced as part of the Society’s annual Cancer Facts & Figures publication.

Below are 10 key facts from the new report. All figures are for the U.S.

1 in 285: The chance a child will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.

2,240: The number of brain and central nervous system cancers diagnosed in 2014 among children aged 0 to 14. This is second most common cancer in this age group and does not include the 730 cases of benign and borderline malignant brain tumors.

15%: The percentage of all cancers diagnosed in adolescents (aged 15 to 19) that is Hodgkin lymphoma – the most common cancer in this age group.

15,780: The number of new cancer cases expected to be diagnosed in children and adolescents in 2014.

1,350: The number of children aged 0 to 14 expected to die of cancer in 2014.

610: The number of adolescents aged 15 to 19 expected to die of cancer in 2014.

26%: The percentage of childhood cancers, among those aged 0 to 14, which are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the most common cancer in this age group.

64%: The 5-year survival rate for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for children aged 0 to 14 diagnosed between 2003 and 2009.

90%: The 5-year survival rate for ALL – up from 57% for those diagnosed between 1975 and 1979.

1 in 530: The number of adults aged 20 to 39 who are childhood cancer survivors.

Explore these statistics and more in the special section of Cancer Facts & Figures 2014.