Incidence by Type of Disease

The incidence of childhood cancer peaks in the first year of life. Incidence is higher for children under five and for those ages 15-19, and lower for children ages 5-14.

• The types of cancer most often found in young children (neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, ependymoma, and hepatoblastoma) are very uncommon in adolescents (ages 15-19).
• Cancers most often diagnosed in ages 15-19 and rarely in younger children include germ cell tumors, Hodgkins disease, and the bone cancers.
• Cancers most commonly diagnosed in adults (lung, breast, colon and others) rarely occur in adolescents or children.

• Since the 1970s, deaths from childhood cancer have declined dramatically. The overall decline in mortality was nearly 40% between 1975 and 1995, about 2.5% per year decrease, even while the incidence increased by 0.8% per year.
• In 1995, 34% of childhood cancer deaths were due to leukemia. The death rate from leukemia fell nearly 50%, or about 3.4% per year, from 1975-95, while the incidence increased.
• In 1995, nearly 25% of childhood cancer deaths were due to CNS tumors, primarily brain. The death rate from CNS/brain tumors fell 23%, or about 1.1% per year, from 1975-95, while the incidence increased, mainly in the mid 1980s. In addition to the emotional toll cancer diagnosis brings, there is usually a substantial financial toll on the families.  Life savings are quickly drained, as Out Of Pocket Expenses and travel expenses multiply.  Please help us alleviate the financial toll taken, by supporting our Family Relief Fund.  Donations can be sent to us at The Tumbleweed Foundation, P.O. Box 183, Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 15330.  We arers, so all money donated to the Family Relief Fun

  Death rates for most types of childhood cancer have declined dramatically since the 1970s. The principal reason for this is the progress made in treating leukemia, especially ALL, which accounts for about one third of all pediatric cancer cases.

  d will help the families that need it most.