“Where can my child get the best available treatment?” is one of the first questions parents ask. Childhood cancer is still quite rare. Most pediatricians and family doctors will see only a handful of cases in all their years of practice.
Most children and teens with cancer are treated at large pediatric cancer centers. Pediatric cancer treatment is usually offered to children from birth to age 18 or 19, although some groups extend pediatric treatment to age 21.
Experts from different disciplines (medicine, nursing, social work, and many others) are part of the cancer care team that helps patients and families. Some are involved before diagnosis, and many stay involved for months and even years after treatment.