Hearing your child has cancer is one of the most frightening moments a parent can face. In that instant, your world changes. Questions race through your mind: Why my child? How is this treated? Will they get better?
Children aren’t just small adults, and their cancers aren’t the same either. Cancer is far more common in adults than it is in children. Although pediatric cancer is still the leading cause of death from disease among children from birth to 14, it’s very rare.
“Pediatric cancers make up about 1% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States,” said Joseph Torkildson, MD, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist with Banner Children’s. “About 1.6 million cases of adult cancer are diagnosed annually, while about 16,000 cases of pediatric cancer are diagnosed.”
Knowing how childhood cancer differs from adult cancer can help you make sense of what’s happening, understand the care your child will receive and feel a little less alone during this overwhelming time. Here are six key differences between pediatric and adult cancer.
1. The types of cancer are different
One of the first things you may notice is that the kind of cancer children get is often very different from what adults face. In adults, the most common cancers affect the lungs, breast, colon, prostate and pancreas. In children, pediatric cancers usually appear in the blood, lymphatic system, brain and bones.
Some of the most common pediatric cancers include:
- Leukemia, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Brain and spinal tumors
- Lymphomas, including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Sarcomas, which are cancers of the bones or soft tissues
- Rare cancers unique to children, like retinoblastoma and neuroblastoma
“Children’s cancers tend to grow from different types of cells than adult cancers do,” Dr. Torkildson said. “Because of this, treatments must be designed specifically for kids, taking into account both the type of cancer and the child’s age and growth.”
2. Cancer in children often grows faster
Pediatric cancers can develop more quickly than adult cancers. While this may sound alarming, there is a silver lining: children’s bodies often respond well to treatment.
“Kids’ cells are dividing rapidly, which is why tumors can grow faster,” Dr. Torkildson said. “But the same characteristic makes them more sensitive to chemotherapy and other treatments, which can lead to higher remission rates.”
Because pediatric cancers can progress quickly, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Pay attention to unusual symptoms, such as unexplained bruising, chronic fevers, unusual lumps or changes in appetite or energy levels.
3. Causes are usually different
While lifestyle factors like smoking, diet and sun exposure contribute to many adult cancers, childhood cancers are rarely caused by anything you or your child did. Most pediatric cancers result from genetic mutations. These are changes in the DNA that happen before birth or in early cell development.
“Parents often feel guilty, thinking they somehow caused their child’s cancer, but most cases are not preventable,” Dr. Torkildson said. “Random genetic changes or pre-existing conditions play a much larger role than anything in the child’s environment.”
Because the causes are usually not lifestyle-related, there is currently no proven way to prevent most pediatric cancers. Researchers are studying genetic risk factors to improve early detection and treatment options in the future.
4. Children often respond better to treatment
Children’s bodies can sometimes tolerate aggressive treatments better than those of adults. Treatments such as high-dose chemotherapy can be more effective in children because their organs are resilient and still developing.
“Treatment for pediatric cancer is designed to attack the tumor as efficiently as possible,” Dr. Torkildson said. “We can sometimes give higher doses or more intensive therapies because children’s bodies recover differently from adults.”
While chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are used in both adults and children, doctors carefully choose the type and dose of each treatment to minimize long-term side effects while maximizing the chance of cure. Children also benefit from precision medicine, which targets the cancer more directly, sparing healthy cells whenever possible.
5. Long-term side effects are a bigger concern
Because children have many decades ahead of them after treatment, doctors carefully monitor for potential late effects. These can appear months or even years after treatment ends and may include:
- Heart problems
- Fertility challenges
- Growth or hormone changes
- Secondary cancers
“Even though children often survive cancer at higher rates than adults, we have to think about their long-term health,” Dr. Torkildson said. “Regular follow-ups and survivorship care plans are important to catch any late effects early and manage them effectively.”
6. Emotional and family impact is unique
A childhood cancer diagnosis affects more than a child’s body. It impacts school, friendships and emotional development. Families often experience stress, worry and changes in daily routines. Siblings may feel left out or ignored and parents may experience anxiety or guilt.
“Cancer doesn’t just affect the patient—it affects the whole family,” Dr. Torkildson said. “Providing emotional support for both the child and the family is just as important as medical treatment.”
Many pediatric cancer centers, including Banner Children’s, offer counseling, educational support and connections to other families going through similar experiences. These services can help your child stay engaged in school, maintain friendships and manage stress while undergoing treatment.
Supporting your child through cancer
Facing pediatric cancer is overwhelming, but your child does not have to go through it alone. Specialized pediatric care ensures that treatment is designed for your child’s unique needs, while ongoing support helps your family navigate both the medical and emotional challenges.
At Banner Children’s, our team of pediatric oncologists, nurses, social workers and counselors works together to guide your child and family every step of the way — from diagnosis to treatment and into survivorship. We focus not only on curing the cancer but also on helping your child lead a healthy and happy life for years to come.
While childhood cancer is serious, advances in pediatric oncology have dramatically improved survival rates. Your child’s care team is here to support every step of the journey.
