Cancer Basics

Articles In This Section

• Beta Thalassemia

  Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body has a problem producing beta globin, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.

• Late Effects of Cancer and Cancer Treatment

  Long-term side effects, or late effects, happen to many cancer survivors. With early diagnosis and proper follow-up care, most late effects can be treated or cured.

• Nutritional Needs for Kids With Cancer

  The best way for kids undergoing cancer treatment to keep up their strength and deal with side effects is by staying hydrated, taking only doctor-recommended supplements, and eating as well as possible.

• Central Venous Catheters

  These surgically placed tubes allow kids with cancer to get blood drawn and receive intravenous (IV) medications and fluids without repeated needle sticks.

• Liver Tumors

  Treatment for these abnormal growths (which can be cancerous or noncancerous) may involve surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.

• Germ Cell Tumors

  Germ cell tumors, which can be cancerous or noncancerous, occur when cells in a developing fetus develop abnormally.

• Brain and Nervous System Cancers

  These cancers are the second most common type of cancer in children. When discovered early, they are usually treatable.

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

  ALL is the most common type of leukemia, affecting nearly 75% of kids who have this cancer of the blood cells. With treatment, most recover.

• Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML)

  Learn about this type of blood cancer that usually affects kids under 2 years old.

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

  Among kids with leukemia, 20% have this form of the blood cancer. With treatment, most recover.

• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

  While this type of blood cancer is more common in adults, it affects children, too. Thanks to advances in therapy, most kids with CML can be cured.

• What Is Elective Surgery?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)

  Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that shows up in the body's soft tissues. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, most kids make a full recovery.

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

  A lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The majority of kids with this type of cancer are cured.

• Wilms Tumor

  Wilms tumor is a cancer of the kidneys that usually affects newborns and the very young. Fortunately, most kids with Wilms tumor survive and go on to live normal, healthy lives.

• Retinoblastoma

  Retinoblastoma is a childhood cancer that affects the retina, the area of the eye responsible for sensing light and sending nerve signals to the brain.

• Hodgkin Lymphoma

  Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

• Ewing Sarcoma

  This type of cancer mainly affects adolescents and usually develops in the arms, legs, ribs, spinal column, and pelvis. With early diagnosis and treatment, many kids with Ewing sarcoma have a good chance of recovery.

• Neuroblastoma

  Learn about neuroblastoma, a rare type of childhood cancer that develops in infants and young children.

• Neutropenia

  Certain cancers, or cancer treatment, can weaken the immune system, requiring a child to stay home to avoid exposure to germs. Here are ways to help your child make the best of it.

• Melanoma

  Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Find out how to lower your family's risk of getting melanoma and how doctors treat it.

• Brain Tumors

  Brain tumors are the second most common group of childhood cancers. Treatment requires a very specialized plan involving a team of medical specialists.

• Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy medications are used to treat cancer throughout the body by killing actively dividing cells. Learn more about chemo.

• Radiation Therapy

  Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, irradiation, or X-ray therapy, is one of the most common forms of cancer treatment.

• Osteosarcoma

  Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. Boys are more likely to have osteosarcoma than girls, and most cases of osteosarcoma involve the knee.

• Lymphoma

  Although cancers that originate in the body's lymphatic tissues are the third most common type of cancer in children, most recover from lymphoma.

• Leukemia

  Leukemia refers to cancers of the white blood cells (also called leukocytes or WBCs). With the proper treatment, the outlook for kids who are diagnosed with leukemia is quite good.

• Childhood Cancer

  Different kinds of childhood cancer have different signs, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. But today, over 80% of all children with cancer live 5 years or more.

• Anemia

  Anemia, one of the more common blood disorders, occurs when the number of healthy red blood cells decreases. This can result in a variety of symptoms, including fatigue and stress on all the body's organs.

• Alpha Thalassemia

  Alpha thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body has a problem producing alpha globin, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.

• Neurofibromatosis

  Neurofibromatosis (NF) can cause tumors to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities. Learn more about NF, including how it's diagnosed and treated.