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Types of children’s cancers
The types of cancers that affect children tend to be different to the cancers that affect adults. Because cancer in children is relatively rare, community awareness of children’s cancer isn’t as high as that of adult cancer. However, many parents find that understanding more about the cancer their child has helps them feel more in control and better equipped to manage the emotional journey that is childhood cancer.
In this section, you’ll find information about the most common types of children’s cancers, including symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, support and clinical trials.
Bone tumours occur when abnormal cells in the bones grow in an uncontrolled way. There are 2 main types of bone tumours in children - osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. There are many different types of cells in the brain and other parts of the CNS, and each of these can develop into different types of tumours.
A germ cell is the type of cell that develops into eggs (in the ovaries) or sperm (in the testicles). Germ cell tumours occur when abnormal germ cells grow in an uncontrolled way, and can develop before or after birth.
Hodgkin disease is a type of cancer called a lymphoma. It occurs when certain types of white blood cells called lymphocytes grow in an uncontrolled way. Lymphocytes are part of the immune system that help our bodies fight infection.
Kidney tumours are also called renal tumours. Kidney tumours occur when abnormal cells in the kidneys grow in an uncontrolled way. The most common type of kidney tumour in children is called Wilms tumour.
Liver tumours (also called hepatic tumours) occur when abnormal cells in the liver grow in an uncontrolled way. There are several different types of liver tumours that can occur in children.
Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that is made up of cells that are found in nerve tissues of the body, called neuroblasts. Many neuroblastomas start in the adrenal glands.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs when certain types of white blood cells (lymphocytes) grow in an uncontrolled way. Lymphocytes are part of the immune system that help our bodies fight infection.
Retinoblastoma forms in the retina - the light-sensing area at the back of the eye. It usually occurs in young children, and can affect one or both eyes.
Soft tissue sarcomas start in the cells of connective tissue. These include cells that make up our muscles, fat, lining of joints and blood vessels. Soft tissue sarcomas can therefore develop almost anywhere in the body.