Types of pediatric cancers
- Leukemias. Blood cell cancers make up one-third of all childhood cancers. The most common forms of pediatric leukemia are acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About 5% of children will have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
- Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors. The most common solid tumors in children are gliomas and medulloblastomas.
- Lymphomas. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (cancers of the lymph system) affect children.
- Retinoblastoma. This cancer affects the retinas of the eyes.
- Sarcomas. This disease includes bone cancers such as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and soft tissue sarcomas. The most common type of pediatric sarcoma is rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of muscle, tendon, cartilage, or bone.
- Wilms Tumor. A form of pediatric kidney cancer.
- Neuroblastoma. A cancer of the peripheral nervous system that occurs in children.
- Germ Cell Tumors. These tumors start from germ cells, most often in the testes or ovaries
Types of pediatric blood disorders
Pediatric blood disorders are a group of non-cancerous but serious conditions that affect the ability of blood cells to function properly — carrying nutrients and oxygen, fighting off infection or disease, or clotting. These disorders include:
- Genetic blood diseases, such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Clotting disorders
- Anemias such as iron deficiency anemia or anemias due to enzyme deficiencies such as G6PD.
Pediatric cancer — what you need to know
Early signs of pediatric cancers and blood disorders are difficult to recognize, and more often indicate common illnesses and injuries.