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Childhood Cancer Research Highlights

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is deeply committed to finding new answers that will help every child and family affected by cancer. Here are lay-friendly highlights about some of our recent studies.

Childhood Cancer Continues to Increase

Cancer is the second most common cause of death among children ages 1 to 14. Accidents are the most common cause. The cancer incidence rate for children has been increasing slightly since the mid-1970s, with the trends varying by cancer type. However, cancer death rates in children have declined 71% since 1970. These reductions are largely due to improvements in treatment and more children taking part in clinical trials.

New Treatment for Children with Neuroblastoma

A clear "win" from a phase 1 clinical trial of a new treatment for children who have already been heavily treated for neuroblastoma.

Black child with white headwrap and white bear

Statistics on Childhood Cancer in Children (Birth to Age 14)

#1

Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. 

#2

Brain or other tumors in the nervous system are the second-most common cancer in children.

Treatment & Reducing Metastasis Studies

Statistics on Childhood Cancer in Children (Ages 15-19)

#1

Brain or other tumors in the nervous system are the most common cancer in adolescents.

#2

Lymphoma is in the second-most common cancer in adolescents.

Survivorship Studies

We Fund Cancer Researchers Across the US

The ACS funds scientists who conduct research about childhood cancer at medical schools, universities, research institutes, and hospitals throughout the United States. We use a rigorous and independent peer review process to select the most innovative research projects proposals to fund. 

These grant statistics are as of July 15, 2024.

58

childhood cancer research grants

$39M

funding for childhood cancer research