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Pandemic-era increases in late-stage pediatric cancer diagnoses, 2020-2022

Todd Burus1,2, Jason Semprini3

  • 1Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.

JNCI Cancer Spectrum
|June 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric cancer incidence remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, but late-stage diagnoses increased. This highlights the need for timely cancer evaluation and diagnostic access during health system disruptions.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant health system disruptions.
  • These disruptions may have impacted pediatric cancer detection and diagnosis.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric cancer incidence in the US.
  • To compare observed cancer rates during 2020-2022 with pre-pandemic expected rates.
  • To analyze incidence by race/ethnicity, cancer site, and stage at diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the National Childhood Cancer Registry data for individuals aged 0-17 years.
  • Compared observed pediatric cancer incidence rates (2020-2022) to expected rates derived from pre-pandemic trends.
  • Calculated 95% credible intervals (CrI) for incidence rate comparisons.

Main Results:

  • Total pediatric cancer incidence (17.44 per 100,000) was similar to expected rates (17.39) during 2020-2022.
  • An incidence reduction was observed in 2020, followed by slightly higher rates in 2021-2022.
  • Significantly higher late-stage diagnoses occurred during the pandemic era (10.58 vs. 10.19 per 100,000).

Conclusions:

  • Overall pediatric cancer incidence did not significantly change during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • An increase in late-stage pediatric cancer diagnoses necessitates restoring timely evaluation.
  • Maintaining diagnostic access during health system disruptions is vital for pediatric cancer care.

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