Childhood Cancer: Causes, Treatments, and What Families Need to Know

When we talk about childhood cancer, a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in children under 15. Also known as pediatric cancer, it’s not just one illness—it’s more than 12 different types, each with unique causes, treatments, and outcomes. Unlike adult cancers, which often link to lifestyle or aging, childhood cancer usually starts from random genetic errors early in development. No one knows exactly why it happens in some kids and not others. It’s not caused by poor diet, screen time, or vaccines. That’s a myth that needs to stop.

Most cases fall into a few main types: leukemia, the most common, affecting blood and bone marrow, brain tumors, which can be hard to treat because of their location, and neuroblastoma, a cancer that starts in nerve tissue, often in babies. Treatment usually means chemotherapy, drugs that kill fast-growing cells, both cancerous and healthy, sometimes paired with radiation or surgery. The good news? Survival rates have jumped from under 20% in the 1960s to over 80% today for many types. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Side effects can last years—heart damage, hearing loss, fertility issues, even a second cancer later in life.

Parents often feel lost. One day, their child is fine; the next, they’re in a hospital. There’s no playbook. But you’re not alone. The posts below come from real experiences—families who’ve walked this path, doctors who’ve treated these cases, and researchers who’ve studied what works. You’ll find guides on managing chemo side effects, understanding genetic risks, recognizing early signs like unexplained bruising or persistent headaches, and how to talk to siblings about what’s happening. Some posts even cover long-term follow-up care, because surviving cancer is just the first step. This isn’t theory. It’s what happens after the diagnosis, during the treatments, and beyond.