Although cancer is considered rare compared to other childhood diseases, it is still the chief cause of death by disease in children ages one to 14. Nearly 12,500 children under the age of 20 years are newly diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States alone. Approximately one in 330 children will be diagnosed with cancer by age 20.

There is treatment available for most childhood cancers; the current overall cure rate for childhood cancer is about 75%. Children who are treated in cancer treatment centers such as are found in most children’s hospitals have a better chance of cure. Over 250 such treatment centers, mostly in the USA, have come together to form a single group called the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). The primary aims of the COG are:

• Dedication to the discovery of new cures for childhood cancer
• Commitment to cure all children with cancer

To achieve this, all members of the group are committed to treating childhood cancers using the same treatment protocols so that a lot of knowledge about treatment results as well as how and why cancer develops, may be obtained in a very short time. In the Houston-Galveston area, members of the COG include the Children’s Hospital at UTMB in Galveston, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Children who are afflicted, therefore, do not need to travel long distances for treatment since the treatment is the same at all three centers.

Children with cancer have a better chance for cure if the disease is recognized early.  The following may be early signs of cancer:

Continued, unexplained weight loss

Headaches, often with vomiting, at night or early morning

Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back, or legs

Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits

Development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash

Constant infections

A whitish color behind the pupil

Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea

Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness

Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly and persist

Recurrent fevers of unknown origin

For more information on childhood cancer, call the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program at UTMB 1-800-917-8906 ext 22341 or visit the web site for COG at www.childrensoncologygroup.org or the National Childhood Cancer Foundation at www.nccf.org.