Childhood Cancer Canada

Childhood Cancers are Unique

The types of cancers that occur in children vary greatly from those seen in adults. They tend to occur in different parts of the body; they look different under the microscope, and they respond differently to treatment. Cure rates for children are much higher than for most adult cancers. Because of significant advances in therapy, 82% of children with cancer will survive 5 years or more. Aggressive treatment can sometimes lead to learning disabilities.

Leukemias, brain and other nervous system tumours, lymphomas (lymph node cancers), bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancers, eye cancers, and adrenal gland cancers are the most common cancers in children. Skin, prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common in adults.