Children’s cancers

The photo above is of Jasper. Jasper was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged 5.

This section includes general information about children’s cancers, and details on several specific types. If you can’t find the type you’re looking for here, there is also information about some children’s cancers in the adult cancer sections.

About children's cancer

In the UK around 2,000 children (aged 0 - 14 years) get diagnosed with cancer each year. This number includes non cancerous (benign) brain tumours. Children develop different types of cancers than adults. But they often have the same types of treatments.

What are the most common types of childhood cancer?

It's important to remember that cancer in children is rare. Out of the different types of cancer the most common types in childhood are:

• acute leukaemias (a type of blood cancer)

• cancers of the brain and spinal cord

Other types of children's cancers include:

• lymphoma (cancer that starts in the ​lymphatic system​)

• muscle or bone cancers, such as rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma is most common type diagnosed in children.

• neuroblastoma (a cancer of nerve cells)

• Wilms tumours (a type of kidney cancer)

• retinoblastoma (a type of eye cancer)

Get detailed children's cancer statistics

How often is childhood cancer cured?

In the 1960s about 20 to 30 out of every 100 children (about 20 to 30%) with cancer were successfully treated. But since then treatment for children with cancer has improved greatly.

Now more than 80 out of every 100 children (more than 80%) diagnosed with cancer will live for at least 5 years or more. Almost all children diagnosed with ​Hodgkin lymphoma​ and ​retinoblastoma​ are cured for 5 years or more.

Even though cancer is not common in children, it is the leading cause of death from illness. The second most common cause of death in children is accidents. 

The number of children dying from different types of cancers have gone down. But the amount of childhood deaths from cancer overall has gone up.

Symptoms and risks and causes of children's cancer

Signs and symptoms of cancer in children

They can be very similar to those of other childhood illnesses. It is important to go to your child's GP if you're worried.

Risks and causes of children's cancers

We don't know what causes or how to prevent most children's cancers. There are some factors that can increase the risk of cancer in children.

Diagnosis and types of children's cancer

My child has just been diagnosed with cancer

Get information and support to help you cope when your child has just been diagnosed with cancer.

Children's cancer types

We have more detailed information on some types of children's cancer.

Coping and support organisations for children's cancer

Children's cancer support and organisations

There is lots of help and support available for children, their parents, siblings and other family members.

Teenage and young adult (TYA) cancers

Around 2,300 young people aged 15-24 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK.

Adam was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma aged 14. Find out more about different cancer types, coping and who can help.

Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People

Learn more about our work in children and young people's cancers

Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is the part of Cancer Research UK dedicated to supporting research into cancers affecting 0-24 year olds. Learn more about our world-leading research and ways to get involved.