Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer. It’s most common in children and teens between the ages 10 and 19. It usually grows in bone, but it can also grow in soft tissue that’s connected to the bone. This may include tendons, ligaments, cartilage, or muscles.
...more
Osteosarcoma is cancer of the bone. The cancer (malignant) cells make immature bone cells (osteoid). Osteosarcoma is rare, but it is the most common type of bone cancer in children and teens. It is most common when teens have growth spurts. That is between the ages of 13 and 16.
...more
The brain can be divided into three areas, the cerebrum, the brainstem, and the cerebellum.
...more
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS also includes the spinal cord.
...more
Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer of the retina of the eye. The retina is in the back of the eye. It’s the part of the eye that receives light. Retinoblastoma is the most common tumor affecting the eye in children. It almost always occurs in children less than 5 years old.
...more
Detailed information on visual screening tests in children
...more
Wilms tumor is a cancerous tumor that starts in the cells of the kidney. It’s the most common type of kidney cancer in children. It’s usually found by the time a child is age 3 or 4. The tumor can be very large before it’s found. And it may spread (metastasize) to other body tissues.
...more
Detailed anatomical description of the urinary system, including simple definitions and labeled, full-color illustrations
...more
Human blood consists of about 22% solids and 78% water. The components of blood are plasma, fat globules, chemicals, and gases.
...more
Leukemia is cancer of the blood. It’s the most common form of cancer in childhood. The cancer cells grow in bone marrow and go into the blood.
...more
Detailed information on how the liver works, including a full-color, labeled illustration of the digestive system
...more
Hepatoblastoma is a very rare cancer. It’s a tumor that starts in the liver. The cancer cells are similar to fetal liver cells. It usually affects children less than 3 to 4 years of age.
...more
NHL is a type of cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps to fight diseases and infections. The lymphatic system also helps with balancing fluids in different parts of the body.
...more
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps to fight diseases and infections. The lymphatic system also helps with balancing fluids in different parts of the body.
...more
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the cells of the skin. It can spread to and damage nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Skin cancer is rare in children.
...more
Skin cancer in children can be treated in several ways. The best choice for your child depends on the size, place, and stage of the cancer, along with other factors.
...more
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of cancer. It starts in cells that grow into skeletal muscle cells. The cells are called rhabdomyoblasts. Skeletal muscles control all of a person’s voluntary muscle movements. The cancer is most common in children under age 10, but it is rare. It can form anywhere in the body.
...more
Germ cells form as a baby grows in the womb. The cells usually form the eggs (ova) in females and the sperm in males. Germ cell tumors are made up of these underdeveloped cells. The tumors may be cancer (malignant) or not cancer (benign).
...more
Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor. It grows in nerve tissue of babies and young children. The cancer cells grow in young nerve cells of a baby growing in the womb. These cells are called neuroblasts. It’s is the most common cancer in babies under age 1. It’s rare in children older than age 10.
...more
There is no one single cause for cancer. Scientists believe that it is the interaction of many factors—genetic, environmental, or constitutional characteristics of the individual.
...more
Many tests are necessary to determine whether a child has cancer, or if another condition is imitating the symptoms of cancer.
...more
A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgical procedure that helps healthcare providers determine if or how far a cancer has spread within the body.
...more
The specific treatment for your child's cancer will be determined by your child's healthcare provider, based on a variety of factors, including the type of cancer and the extent of the disease.
...more
Surgery doesn't always mean large incisions. Minimally invasive surgery is often used today. This uses small cuts, and allows a child to recover faster and with less pain.
...more
Many surgeries performed on children are done as an outpatient. With minor surgeries, your child will return to the outpatient surgery center after spending the required time in the recovery room.
...more
It's important to keep your baby's routine the same before the day of surgery. Make sure you, your baby, and your family are well rested.
...more
Read books to your toddler about going to the hospital. Keep any explanations simple and be careful of the words you use.
...more
Before coming to the hospital, remove any watches, necklaces, or earrings that your child wears and leave them at home so they are not misplaced.
...more
Your child will need to know that people in the operating room will be wearing surgical clothes to help prevent germs from infecting the surgical incision.
...more
When a child has cancer or another pain-causing disease, one of his or her greatest fears is pain. Every effort should be made to ease the pain during the treatment process.
...more
Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to treat cancer or kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy has been used for many years. It’s one of the most common treatments for cancer.
...more
Obesity is when a teen has too much body fat. Obesity is a serious, long-term disease.
...more
Eating healthy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and is something that should be taught to children at a young age.
...more
Protect your child from the sun. Up to 80% of total lifetime sun exposure occurs in the first 18 years of life.
...more
Your breasts change at different stages of your life. Breast self-awareness is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. This can help you to find even small changes right away.
...more
Ninety percent of new smokers are children and teenagers. In many cases, they are replacing the smokers who quit or died prematurely from a smoking-related disease.
...more
All tobacco products, from cigarettes to snuff, contain toxins, carcinogens, and nicotine, an addictive substance.
...more
If someone you love has cancer, you probably feel sad, angry, and confused. It's OK to feel this way. Cancer is a serious disease. Your loved one is sick. He or she will need to see the healthcare provider a lot. It can help to learn more about cancer.
...more
If you are curious about your loved one's treatment, you may want to ask if you can go with him or her to a clinic visit or any of the other appointments he or she may have. Your loved one may not want you to come, or he or she may be happy that you're interested.
...more
For infants and toddlers, death has very little meaning. School-aged children begin to understand death as permanent, universal, and inevitable. A predominant theme in adolescence is a feeling of immortality or being exempt from death.
...more
The ultimate goal in discussing death with a dying child is to optimize his or her comfort and alleviate any fears. If the child is not ready to discuss death, the most helpful step parents can take is to wait until he or she is ready.
...more