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.

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.