Bone Cancers

Bone cancers derive from a mutation of cells in bones. Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma are the two most common bone tissue malignancies in children. About 2% of childhood cancers are bone cancers. These mutations typically occur in the growing ends of long bones in the body, typically near the knee or the shoulder.

Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers

Central Nervous System cancers affect the brain and the spinal cord. CNS tumors are the most common solid tumors in children, making up about 25% of pediatric cancer cases.

Germ Cell and Gonadal Tumors

Germ cell tumors occur in areas of the reproductive system of males and females, and gonadal tumors occur in the ovaries and testes. These tumors can be malignant (life-threatening) or benign (not life-threatening). Malignant germ cell tumors include several types of cancer, such as Immature teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and choriocarcinoma. They can destroy the testes or ovaries and spread to other body parts. Germ cells and gonadal tumors are rare in children, only compromising 2-4% of all pediatric cancer.

Hepatic Tumors

Pediatric Hepatic tumors are malignancies of the liver in children. The two most common types are hepatoblastoma in children under six and hepatocellular carcinoma in children older than six. However, hepatic tumors are rare and only comprise about 2% of pediatric cancers.

Leukemia and Lymphoma

Leukemia is a blood cell cancer from cells originating in the bone marrow text-center. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system or the immune system. Lymphatic tissue is found in many places in the body, including the lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, and inside bone marrow. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, approximately 40% of all pediatric cancers are blood cancers.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a skin cancer that begins from a mutation of melanocytes, which give the skin its color. It is very rare in children, with only about 300 children in the US diagnosed each year. However, pediatric melanoma is increasing in frequency each year.

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a type of solid tumor that occurs in the nervous system, specifically the developing cells of the sympathetic nervous system. This impacts the automatic, involuntary actions of the body, such as heart rate. Approximately 7% of pediatric cancers are neuroblastoma.

Nephroblastoma and Kidney Tumors

Nephroblastoma is a cancer that originates in the kidneys. Around 6% of all childhood cancers are kidney tumors. Many pediatric kidney cancers include Wilms Tumor, renal cell carcinoma, and more.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS or “rhabdo”) is a tumor of cancerous cells that look like immature muscle cells. About 350 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. RMS may arise in any part of the body. Still, the most common sites for this tumor are adjacent to the base of the skull; around the eye; and other superficial sites in the head and neck, such as the cheek or lip; arms and legs; urinary system and reproductive sexual organs. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children, and it makes up about 3% of all pediatric cancers.

Thyroid Carcinomas

Thyroid cancer is rare in younger children but more common in teenagers. Thyroid cancer impacts the production of hormones that regulate temperature, energy, body weight, and appetite. Approximately 1% of all childhood cancers may be thyroid cancer.