Childhood cancers: incidence, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Treatment advances over the last few decades have dramatically increased survival for children with cancer. More than half the children treated for cancer are now cured. Consequently, professionals working with these children are beginning to focus on minimizing the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment as well as helping families cope with a chronic, life-threatening illness. This article presents an overview of the incidence, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of common childhood cancers. Approaches to care, efforts to prevent acute and late toxic effects, and nursing management of children with malignancies are discussed.