Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Childhood Cancer Better

Every year, September is internationally dedicated to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The goal of this awareness month is to raise awareness about cancer in children and adolescents, educate the public, and highlight the importance of research and specialized medical care.

Cancer in children is rare. Nevertheless, the issue is of great importance to affected families and the medical community. It is important to know that: Children sometimes develop types of cancer that are completely different from those in adults. The course of the disease, treatment, and prognosis can also differ significantly.

How common is cancer in children?

According to current data from the Robert Koch Institute and the Childhood Cancer Registry, approximately 2,350 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in children and adolescents under the age of 18. This corresponds to approximately 0.3 percent of children who develop a malignant disease before their 18th birthday. In other words, about one in 330 children receives a cancer diagnosis by the time they reach adulthood.

Compared to the total number of cancer cases in Germany, this is a relatively small number. Nevertheless, the RKI identifies cancer as the leading cause of disease-related deaths among children aged one year and older. The qualification “disease-related” is important here because it excludes, for example, deaths resulting from accidents.

At the same time, the chances of survival for many young patients have improved significantly in recent decades. However, the prognosis in each individual case always depends on the specific disease and many other factors.

Not all childhood cancers are the same

The distribution of cancer types differs significantly from that in adults. Cancers such as lung, prostate, breast, or colorectal cancer, which are common in adults, are extremely rare in children.

The most common diagnostic groups in childhood and adolescence are leukemias, which account for about 28 to 30 percent of cases. These are followed by central nervous system (CNS) tumors , accounting for about 23 to 25 percent, and lymphomas , accounting for approximately 14 to 18 percent. In addition, there are various tumors that are primarily typical of childhood. These include, for example, neuroblastomas, nephroblastomas, and retinoblastomas, as well as certain soft-tissue, bone, and germ cell tumors.

These differences are one reason why pediatric and adolescent oncology is a highly specialized medical field.

CNS Tumors and Astrocytomas

Central nervous system tumors are one of the largest diagnostic groups in children and adolescents, second only to leukemias. They include a variety of diseases that differ, for example, in terms of their location, biological characteristics, and course.

Among the most common individual diagnoses of CNS tumors are astrocytomas. They arise from cells that make up the nervous system’s supporting tissue. However, the term “astrocytoma” does not describe a single, uniform disease: there are different forms and biological characteristics. Therefore, the diagnosis alone does not provide reliable information about the individual course of the disease.

Significant progress—but not to the same extent for every disease

The treatment of childhood cancers has advanced significantly over the decades. The latest RKI analysis shows high long-term survival rates for all childhood cancers combined. Nevertheless, the results vary considerably among different types of cancer and risk groups.

In addition to survival, long-term health following a cancer diagnosis also plays an important role today. Follow-up care, palliative care, and research into potential long-term effects are therefore key components of pediatric and adolescent oncology.

Attention Leads to Knowledge

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder that childhood cancer, while rare, is medically and socially significant. It provides an opportunity to share factual information about various diseases, advances in treatment, and ongoing challenges.

It is particularly important to take a nuanced view of this issue. The term “childhood cancer” encompasses a wide range of different diseases. Statistical survival rates are valuable for research and medicine, but they do not allow for reliable predictions for any individual.

 

Note: This article is intended to provide general health information. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about a specific medical condition, you and your family members should consult your healthcare provider.

Sources: Robert Koch Institute and German Cancer Registry, Cancer in Germany 2021–2023; Robert Koch Institute, Cancer in Children and Adolescents in Germany—An Overview; International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; German Childhood Cancer Registry, 2022 Annual Report.