Although cancer is rare in children, it is still the leading cause of death by disease in children ages 1 to 14. The most common childhood cancers include the following diseases:
* Leukemia is cancer of the blood. Too many white blood cells form and impair normal blood cell functions.
* Kidney cancer affects the functions of the kidneys.
* Brain tumors and tumors of the nervous system.
* Bone cancer affects the growth of bones.
* Sarcoma is an abnormal growth (tumor) of soft tissues.
* Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph nodes.

What causes these cancers in children is not known. Certain chemicals and viruses may foster the onset of some of them. Heredity may be a factor in some cancers. Medical treatment for cancer may require more than one therapy. Therapies include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Treatment is often hard on a child and their family. The focus of cancer treatment centers on trying to slow and eventually kill abnormal cells while sparing healthy ones.

A surge of well-being, activity, and weight gain may occur once a child is cured. It is a dramatic change for the child and the family. Re-integrate the child into school and social activities with children of the same age as soon as possible. School performance is one of the best indicators of the child's ability to deal with the trauma resulting from the disease and treatment.

Children cured of cancer have an increased rate of developing a second cancer later in life. The risk depends on the type of cancer and how it was treated. Family history and the age of the child when first treated are also factors. Long-term follow-up health assessments are vital to these children. Counseling and support groups may also prove to be useful. They assess a child's coping abilities and help the family readjust to a new lifestyle.

Candlelighter's Childhood Cancer Foundation is a national support organization. It provides support for children with cancer, their parents, and individuals in the pediatric oncology field. There are local chapters are in all 50 states and 30 countries. They provide support groups for parents, funding for transportation, and send child cancer patients to special summer camps. Call 800-366-2223 for more information and for the telephone number of the local chapter near you. Your local Ronald McDonald House can provide information about lodging for your child and family during cancer treatments.

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