Cancer in Children Summary Cancer begins in the cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Normally, new cells form as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when you don’t need them, and old cells don’t die when they should. The extra cells can form a tumor. Benign tumors aren’t cancer while malignant ones are. Malignant tumor cells can invade nearby tissues or break away and spread to other parts of the body. Children can get cancer in the same parts of the body as adults, but there are differences. Childhood cancers can occur suddenly, without early symptoms, and have a high rate of cure. The most common children’s cancer is leukemia. Other cancers that affect children include brain tumors, lymphoma, and soft tissue sarcoma. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is. Treatment may include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Teenagers Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer National Cancer Institute Cancer Basics Nemours Foundation Chemotherapy Nemours Foundation Dealing with Cancer Nemours Foundation Radiation Therapy Nemours Foundation Types of Cancer Teens Get Nemours Foundation Array After chemotherapy – discharge Eating extra calories when you are sick – children Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Cancer Genetics Services Directory National Cancer Institute Children’s Oncology Group Hospitals by State Children’s Oncology Group Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Related Issues Anxiety Around Medical Procedures CureSearch for Children’s Cancer Effects of Cancer Treatment on Fertility (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Endocrine Problems After Childhood Cancer: Precocious Puberty Children’s Oncology Group Keeping Your Heart Healthy After Treatment for Childhood Cancer Children’s Oncology Group Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ) National Cancer Institute Relapse or Recurrence CureSearch for Children’s Cancer Start Here Cancer in Children American Cancer Society Cancer in Children and Adolescents National Cancer Institute Childhood Cancer Nemours Foundation Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents National Cancer Institute General Information about Unusual Cancers of Childhood National Cancer Institute What Is Cancer? 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