Key Takeaways
- In the United States, about 15,950 children and adolescents under age 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year, with leukemia being the most common type accounting for 28% of cases.
- Globally, childhood cancer incidence is estimated at 397,000 new cases annually among children aged 0-19 years, with 90% occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
- In Europe, the annual incidence rate of childhood cancer (0-14 years) is 140 per million, with boys having a slightly higher rate of 148 per million compared to 131 per million for girls.
- The 5-year survival rate for all childhood cancers combined in the US has improved from 58% in the mid-1970s to 86% during 2014-2020.
- In high-income countries, 80% of children with cancer survive at least 5 years post-diagnosis, compared to less than 20% in low-income countries.
- US survival for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children under 5 is 94%, versus 90% for ages 10-14.
- In 2022, US federal funding for pediatric cancer research through NCI was $314 million.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital invests over $1.4 million daily in childhood cancer research.
- Globally, only 4% of cancer research funding is allocated to childhood cancers despite 1% of all cancer incidence.
- CAR-T cell therapy trials for childhood ALL have enrolled over 200 patients with 80% remission in relapsed cases.
- Imatinib (Gleevec) increased survival in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL from 20% to 70%.
- Proton beam therapy reduces radiation exposure by 50% in brain tumors compared to traditional radiotherapy.
- Approximately 500,000 childhood cancer survivors live in the US, representing 1 in 810 young adults.
- Childhood cancer accounts for less than 1% of all new cancer diagnoses but 12% of cancer deaths in those under 20 in high-income countries.
- In the US, childhood cancer mortality declined 69% from 1970 to 2020, from 4.5 to 1.4 per 100,000.
Global childhood cancer rates are stark, but research progress saves many young lives.
Incidence and Prevalence
- In the United States, about 15,950 children and adolescents under age 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year, with leukemia being the most common type accounting for 28% of cases.
- Globally, childhood cancer incidence is estimated at 397,000 new cases annually among children aged 0-19 years, with 90% occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
- In Europe, the annual incidence rate of childhood cancer (0-14 years) is 140 per million, with boys having a slightly higher rate of 148 per million compared to 131 per million for girls.
- In the UK, around 1,900 children and young people aged 0-24 are diagnosed with cancer each year, representing an incidence rate of 18 per 100,000.
- Brain and other central nervous system tumors account for 26% of childhood cancers in the US, with an incidence of about 5.7 per 100,000 children aged 0-19.
- In India, childhood cancer incidence is approximately 50,000 new cases per year, but underdiagnosis leads to only 20-30% being reported officially.
- Among US children aged 0-14, the incidence of all cancers combined increased by 0.6% per year from 1975 to 2019.
- In Australia, 600 children under 15 are diagnosed with cancer annually, with a rate of 15.3 per 100,000.
- Embryonal tumors like neuroblastoma represent 7% of childhood cancers globally, with highest incidence in children under 5 years.
- In Brazil, childhood cancer incidence rate is 139 per million for ages 0-14, similar to high-income countries but with lower survival.
- US Hispanic children have a 20% higher incidence of leukemia compared to non-Hispanic whites, at 5.2 vs 4.3 per 100,000.
- In Africa, childhood cancer incidence is estimated at 250,000 cases per year, but data is sparse due to limited registries.
- Adolescent and young adult (15-19) cancer incidence in US is 78 per million, higher than younger children due to germ cell tumors.
- In Canada, 1,050 new childhood cancer cases (0-14) diagnosed yearly, incidence stable at 15 per 100,000 since 1992.
- Retinoblastoma incidence is 1 in 15,000-20,000 live births globally, with 8,000 new cases annually.
- In Japan, childhood cancer incidence (0-14) is 142 per million, with lymphoma rates higher than in Western countries.
- US Black children have lower incidence of embryonal tumors but higher of Hodgkin lymphoma at 2.5 per 100,000.
- In low-income countries, 80% of childhood cancer burden is leukemia and lymphoma, incidence ~100 per million.
- European registry data shows central nervous system tumors incidence rising 2.5% annually from 1988-2012.
- In Mexico, childhood cancer incidence is 150 per million (0-19), with ALL leukemia at 40% of cases.
- Global prevalence of childhood cancer survivors is over 500,000, with 80% in high-income countries.
- In France, 2,200 new cases yearly in children 0-18, incidence 185 per million.
- Incidence of Wilms tumor is 8 per million children under 15 globally, higher in Africa at 10-12 per million.
- In the US, thyroid cancer incidence in adolescents rose 3.5% yearly from 2004-2019.
- South America childhood cancer incidence averages 140 per million, varying from 100 in Bolivia to 170 in Uruguay.
- In China, estimated 40,000 new childhood cancer cases annually, incidence ~12 per 100,000.
- US Native American children have highest incidence of liver cancer at 1.2 per 100,000.
- Incidence of osteosarcoma peaks at 5 per million in ages 10-14 worldwide.
- In Germany, 1,800 childhood cancers (0-14) diagnosed yearly, rate 152 per million.
- Global rhabdomyosarcoma incidence is 4.3 per million children 0-19, higher in US at 4.5.
- Approximately 43 children per day are diagnosed with cancer worldwide under age 15.
Incidence and Prevalence Interpretation
Mortality and Survivors
- Approximately 500,000 childhood cancer survivors live in the US, representing 1 in 810 young adults.
- Childhood cancer accounts for less than 1% of all new cancer diagnoses but 12% of cancer deaths in those under 20 in high-income countries.
- In the US, childhood cancer mortality declined 69% from 1970 to 2020, from 4.5 to 1.4 per 100,000.
- Globally, 96,000 children aged 0-14 die from cancer each year, 90% in low- and middle-income countries.
- Leukemia causes 25% of childhood cancer deaths in the US, despite highest survival rates.
- 20-year mortality risk for US childhood cancer survivors is 13.5 times higher than the general population.
- In Europe, childhood cancer mortality dropped 35% from 1990 to 2016.
- UK childhood cancer mortality reduced by 60% since 1971-1975.
- CNS tumors account for 30% of childhood cancer deaths despite advances.
- In low-income countries, 80% of childhood cancer patients die, mainly from lack of treatment access.
- US Black childhood cancer patients have 20% higher mortality risk than whites.
- Neuroblastoma mortality is 50% for high-risk cases despite treatment.
- 30% of US childhood cancer survivors develop severe late effects requiring lifelong care.
- In Australia, childhood cancer mortality fell to 2.2 per 100,000 by 2019.
- Global under-5 childhood cancer mortality is 50 per million, 10 times higher in Africa.
- Canada reports 250 childhood cancer deaths yearly, down 50% since 1990.
- Second cancers occur in 4-6% of childhood cancer survivors within 20 years.
- Cardiovascular disease causes 25% of deaths in long-term childhood cancer survivors.
- In Brazil, childhood cancer mortality rate is 5 per 100,000, twice the US rate.
- 70% of osteosarcoma deaths occur due to metastatic disease at diagnosis.
- India sees 25,000 childhood cancer deaths annually from treatable diseases.
- European survivors have 3-fold increased risk of premature death 25 years post-diagnosis.
- US AML mortality in children declined 50% since 1990 to 0.4 per 100,000.
- 15% of rhabdomyosarcoma patients die from distant metastases.
- In Germany, childhood cancer mortality halved to 1.5 per 100,000 since 1980.
Mortality and Survivors Interpretation
Research Funding
- In 2022, US federal funding for pediatric cancer research through NCI was $314 million.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital invests over $1.4 million daily in childhood cancer research.
- Globally, only 4% of cancer research funding is allocated to childhood cancers despite 1% of all cancer incidence.
- NCI's Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) received $50 million in initial funding in 2020.
- In the UK, Cancer Research UK spends £20 million annually on pediatric cancer research.
- EU Horizon 2020 allocated €150 million to pediatric oncology projects from 2014-2020.
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has funded over $300 million in pediatric cancer grants since 2005.
- In Australia, federal government invests AUD 20 million yearly in childhood cancer research via NHMRC.
- Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation granted $100 million for immunotherapy research by 2023.
- In Canada, Childhood Cancer Canada funds $2.5 million annually for research grants.
- Germany's Kinderkrebsforschung center receives €10 million yearly from government and donors.
- Stand Up To Cancer awarded $100 million in pediatric immunotherapy translational grants since 2012.
- In Brazil, INCA allocates 5% of cancer budget (~R$50 million) to pediatric research.
- Hyundai Hope On Wheels has donated over $220 million to pediatric cancer research since 1998.
- European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP Europe) budget for research is €5 million per year.
- In India, ICMR funds ₹100 crore annually for pediatric cancer studies.
- CureSearch for Children's Cancer raises $200 million for clinical trials since inception.
- Japan's AMED invests ¥3 billion yearly in childhood cancer genomics.
- V Foundation awarded $50 million to pediatric cancer research grants by 2023.
- In France, INCa funds €30 million for pediatric oncology R&D annually.
- Team Moonshot initiative committed $100 million for pediatric cancer moonshot projects.
- Australia's Kids Cancer Project invests AUD 15 million yearly in research.
- NCI's Pediatric Oncology Branch receives $80 million in intramural funding.
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds $30 million for pediatric ALL research annually.
- In Mexico, CONACYT allocates MXN 200 million for childhood cancer research.
- Solving Kids' Cancer invested $50 million in high-risk neuroblastoma trials.
- EU's Mission on Cancer includes €1 billion with pediatric focus.
- St. Baldrick's Foundation granted over $375 million since 2005 for pediatric research.
Research Funding Interpretation
Survival Rates
- The 5-year survival rate for all childhood cancers combined in the US has improved from 58% in the mid-1970s to 86% during 2014-2020.
- In high-income countries, 80% of children with cancer survive at least 5 years post-diagnosis, compared to less than 20% in low-income countries.
- US survival for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children under 5 is 94%, versus 90% for ages 10-14.
- European 5-year survival for CNS tumors in children improved from 54% (1988-1997) to 73% (2000-2007).
- In the UK, overall childhood cancer survival rose from 67% in 1990 to 84% in 2010-2015.
- Survival for Hodgkin lymphoma in US children is 98% at 5 years, nearly unchanged since 2000.
- In Australia, 5-year survival for childhood leukemia is 91%, with ALL at 93% and AML at 78%.
- Global average 5-year survival for childhood cancer is 50%, but reaches 85% in Northern America.
- In Canada, neuroblastoma survival improved to 86% for low-risk cases from 79% pre-2000.
- US 10-year survival for retinoblastoma exceeds 99%, with unilateral cases at 95%.
- In low-income countries, Wilms tumor survival is 41%, versus 90% in high-income settings.
- France reports 5-year survival of 91% for all childhood cancers (1989-2013).
- Survival for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in US children rose to 93% from 60% in 1975-1979.
- In Japan, 5-year survival for childhood ALL is 92%, comparable to US rates.
- Brazil childhood cancer overall survival improved to 65% from 50% over two decades.
- US rhabdomyosarcoma survival is 68% at 5 years, with embryonal subtype at 82%.
- In Germany, osteosarcoma survival stabilized at 70% since 1990s.
- African childhood cancer survival averages 20%, primarily due to late diagnosis.
- India reports 5-year survival of 60% for ALL with modern protocols.
- European hepatoblastoma survival reached 80% with cisplatin-based therapy.
- US Ewing sarcoma 5-year survival is 70% for localized disease, 39% metastatic.
- In Mexico, overall childhood cancer survival is 55%, higher for leukemia at 65%.
- China childhood cancer survival increased to 70% in major centers by 2020.
- 15-year survival for US childhood cancer survivors is 81%, down from 86% at 5 years due to late effects.
Survival Rates Interpretation
Treatment and Therapies
- CAR-T cell therapy trials for childhood ALL have enrolled over 200 patients with 80% remission in relapsed cases.
- Imatinib (Gleevec) increased survival in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL from 20% to 70%.
- Proton beam therapy reduces radiation exposure by 50% in brain tumors compared to traditional radiotherapy.
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy tisagenlecleucel approved for B-ALL with 81% overall remission.
- High-dose methotrexate in osteosarcoma improves event-free survival by 15%.
- Dinutuximab beta extended event-free survival in high-risk neuroblastoma by 10 months.
- SIOP protocol for Wilms tumor achieves 90% survival with prenephrectomy chemo in 80% cases.
- Brentuximab vedotin in anaplastic large cell lymphoma boosts complete response to 93%.
- GD2-targeted immunotherapy with naxitamab shows 57% response in refractory neuroblastoma.
- Larotrectinib for NTRK fusion tumors achieves 75% objective response rate across pediatric cancers.
- Tazemetostat for epithelioid sarcoma with EZH2 mutation has 15% response rate in phase 2 trials.
- Atezolizumab immunotherapy in hepatoblastoma trials shows 30% response in progressive disease.
- MIBG therapy with 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine achieves 30% response in relapsed neuroblastoma.
- Vemurafenib for BRAF-mutant Langerhans cell histiocytosis yields 63% response rate.
- Selumetinib in neurofibromatosis type 1 plexiform neurofibromas shrinks tumors by 70% on average.
- Ruxolitinib for relapsed/refractory leukemia reduces spleen volume by 30% in pediatric trials.
- Palbociclib CDK4/6 inhibitor shows 50% stable disease in Rb-positive sarcomas.
- Nelarabine increases remission in T-cell ALL to 70% in relapsed patients.
- Temozolomide plus irinotecan achieves 50% response in relapsed medulloblastoma.
- Bevacizumab in optic pathway glioma stabilizes vision loss in 75% of NF1 patients.
- Crizotinib for ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma has 90% 2-year event-free survival.
- Vorinostat HDAC inhibitor enhances efficacy of chemo in refractory solid tumors by 20%.
- Enasidenib for IDH2-mutant AML achieves 40% complete remission in pediatric cases.
- Ivosidenib for IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma shows 33% response in rare pediatric cases.
- Tiragolumab plus atezolizumab in rhabdomyosarcoma trials yields 25% objective response.
Treatment and Therapies Interpretation
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