Being told that your child has cancer would understandably come as a terrible shock. Yet to know that 82% of children now survive cancer, may offer some comfort. Thanks to research into treatment and causes, the outlook is now one of hope, forward thinking and positive outcomes.
Let's start with what cancer is.
Cancer is a disease of the cells. The body contains over two hundred different types of cell so there are also over two hundred different forms of cancer that occur if a particular cell type ‘goes wrong’.
A normal cell grows and reproduces according to the strict instructions:
1. If it becomes damaged, it dies.
2. It reproduces a limited number of times before dying.
3. It responds to chemical messages from other cells which tell it what to do.
4. If it travels to the wrong place in the body, it dies.
Cancer occurs when a single cell divides (makes a copy of itself) but ‘goes wrong’ and produces an abnormal cell. If the abnormal cell continues to divide and does not die, it has become a cancer cell. It has the potential to spread throughout the body, although it does not always do this.
Solid cancers/tumours are when an abnormal cell divides rapidly and a lump forms, whereas Leukaemias and lymphomas are caused when the blood cells divide and multiply abnormally.
What is the difference between benign and malignant tumours?
Tumours are either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Doctors can tell if a tumour is benign or malignant by removing a piece of tissue (biopsy) and examining a small sample of cells under a microscope.
In a benign tumour, the cells do not spread to other parts of the body and so are not cancerous. However, they may carry on growing at the original site, and may cause a problem by pressing on surrounding organs.
In a malignant tumour, the cancer cells have the ability to spread beyond the original area of the body. If the tumour is left untreated, it may spread into surrounding tissue.
What makes childhood cancers unique?
Childhood cancers are not the same as adult cancers.
The type of cancer, how far it spreads, and how it is treated is often very different to adult cancers. Children’s bodies and the way they respond to treatments are unique as well.
Important Notice
This page is intended to back up the information you get from the hospital, not to replace medical advice from a consultant.
Information last reviewed on 14th April 2022. Statistics provided by Cancer Research UK, Accessed 2022 – https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/childrens-cancers
Based on information originally produced by Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), Accessed 2022.
