Northeast Florida Medicine
Vol. 66, No. 2 2015
15
Patient Page
Most Common Forms of Pediatric Cancer
TREATMENT
The treatment of cancer in children
can include chemotherapy (the use
of medical drugs to kill cancer cells),
radiation (the use of radiant energy to
kill cancer cells), and surgery (to remove
cancerous cells or tumors). The type of
treatment needed depends on the type
and severity of cancer and the child’s age.
Kids with certain types of cancer may
receive bone marrow transplants.
COPING WITH CANCER
When possible, older kids should
be involved with their own cancer
treatment. Facts about the specific
type of cancer and its effects should be
explained in language suitable for the
child’s age. However, when cancer affects
younger children — toddlers and those
under age 4 — simply telling them that
they are “sick” and need “medicine” to
get better is often enough explanation.
For all age groups, the goal is to prevent
fear and misunderstanding.
v
CANCERS MOST
COMMON IN CHILDREN:
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Brain Cancer
As kids enter the teen years, there
is an increase in the incidence of
osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
This information was provided by KidsHealth®, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids,
and teens. For more articles like this, visit KidsHealth.org or TeensHealth.org. © 1995- 2015 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. All rights reserved.
Cancer affects only about 14 of every 100,000
children in the United States each year.
