While cancers occur far less frequently in children than in adults, receiving a cancer diagnosis at any age is devastating. Fortunately, advancements in treating pediatric cancers are improving cure rates in tandem with lessening short- and long-term side effects.
From immunotherapy to molecular profiling, there are numerous encouraging developments in treating common cancers, including leukemias and lymphomas, in children from birth through age 14.
“This is a pretty exciting time in pediatric oncology,” said Dr. Peter Cole, chief, division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. “If you look back over the last 30 to 40 years, we’ve made some pretty incredible advances in cure rates — to the point where, for childhood leukemia, which is the most common form of childhood cancer, most children will be cured these days — we’re talking like 90%. And ‘cure’ means cure. They’re in remission. They’re done with treatment. They grow up and they’re healthy, and they’ll have kids of their own one day.”
Source: Key developments emerge in pediatric cancer research and treatment
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