GITNUXREPORT 2026

Pediatric Cancer Statistics

Despite affecting fewer people, pediatric cancer remains a leading cause of death for children worldwide.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Leukemia represents 28% of all pediatric cancers in the U.S., most common type.

Statistic 2

Brain and CNS tumors account for 26% of childhood cancers in the U.S., second most common.

Statistic 3

Neuroblastoma comprises 6% of pediatric cancers, primarily affecting children under 5.

Statistic 4

Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) makes up 5% of childhood cancers, 500-600 U.S. cases/year.

Statistic 5

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 3% of pediatric cancers, more common in adolescents.

Statistic 6

Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 3% of childhood cancers, peak at 15-19 years.

Statistic 7

Retinoblastoma is 3% of cases, bilateral in 30%.

Statistic 8

Rhabdomyosarcoma represents 3% of pediatric malignancies, 350 U.S. cases/year.

Statistic 9

Bone cancers (osteosarcoma, Ewing) are 4-5% of childhood cancers.

Statistic 10

Germ cell tumors account for 3% of pediatric cancers, often gonadal.

Statistic 11

Liver cancers (hepatoblastoma) 1-2% of cases, mainly under 5 years.

Statistic 12

ALL is 75% of pediatric leukemias, peak age 2-5 years.

Statistic 13

AML is 20% of childhood leukemias, poorer prognosis.

Statistic 14

Medulloblastoma is 20% of pediatric brain tumors.

Statistic 15

Astrocytoma 15% of childhood CNS tumors.

Statistic 16

Ependymoma 5-10% of pediatric brain tumors.

Statistic 17

Thyroid cancer in adolescents is 10% of pediatric endocrine cancers.

Statistic 18

Melanoma is increasingly common in adolescents, 1-2% of pediatric cancers.

Statistic 19

Langerhans cell histiocytosis affects 1 in 200,000 children yearly, debated as cancer.

Statistic 20

Burkitt lymphoma is aggressive NHL subtype, 30-40% of pediatric NHL in Africa.

Statistic 21

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma 10-15% of pediatric NHL.

Statistic 22

Hepatoblastoma 60% of pediatric liver cancers, under 5 years.

Statistic 23

Pleuropulmonary blastoma rare, 25 cases/year worldwide.

Statistic 24

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor very rare, <200 cases total.

Statistic 25

Infantile fibrosarcoma 1% of pediatric sarcomas.

Statistic 26

In the United States, about 15,950 children and adolescents (ages 0-19 years) were diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

Statistic 27

Globally, childhood cancer incidence is estimated at 397,000 new cases annually for children aged 0-19 years as of 2020.

Statistic 28

In Europe, the annual incidence rate of pediatric cancer is approximately 35 per million children under 15 years.

Statistic 29

Among U.S. children aged 0-14 years, the age-adjusted incidence rate of all cancers combined was 17.9 per 100,000 from 2016-2020.

Statistic 30

Pediatric cancer accounts for less than 1% of all new cancer cases in the U.S., but represents 15-20% of cancer mortality in children.

Statistic 31

In low- and middle-income countries, 90% of the 400,000 annual childhood cancer cases occur, with incidence rates of 100-140 per million.

Statistic 32

The incidence of pediatric brain and other CNS cancers in the U.S. is 5.7 per 100,000 children aged 0-19.

Statistic 33

From 2001-2020, the overall pediatric cancer incidence rate in the U.S. increased by 0.5% per year on average.

Statistic 34

In Australia, around 600 children under 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year, rate of 16 per 100,000.

Statistic 35

Hispanic children in the U.S. have a 20% higher incidence rate of pediatric cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Statistic 36

The incidence rate of leukemia in children aged 0-14 in the U.S. was 4.8 per 100,000 from 2016-2020.

Statistic 37

In the UK, there are about 1,900 new cases of childhood cancer diagnosed annually in children under 15.

Statistic 38

Pediatric cancer prevalence in the U.S. (5-year) is approximately 470,000 survivors alive as of 2022.

Statistic 39

In India, estimated 50,000 new pediatric cancer cases per year, with incidence rate around 40-50 per million.

Statistic 40

Black children in the U.S. have a pediatric cancer incidence rate of 15.5 per 100,000 vs. 17.2 for whites.

Statistic 41

The incidence of neuroblastoma in U.S. children under 5 years is 10.2 per million.

Statistic 42

In Canada, 1,050 children and teens are diagnosed with cancer yearly, rate 18.5 per 100,000.

Statistic 43

Global pediatric cancer incidence for ages 0-14 is 140 per million children per year.

Statistic 44

In Japan, pediatric cancer incidence rate is 12.5 per 100,000 for under 15 years.

Statistic 45

U.S. adolescents (15-19) have cancer incidence of 21.7 per 100,000, higher than younger children.

Statistic 46

In Brazil, around 8,500 new pediatric cancer cases annually for 0-19 years.

Statistic 47

Incidence of Wilms tumor in U.S. children 0-14 is 7.8 per million.

Statistic 48

In South Africa, pediatric cancer incidence is 100 per million, lower due to underdiagnosis.

Statistic 49

U.S. infant cancer incidence (under 1 year) is 23.4 per 100,000.

Statistic 50

In Germany, 1,800 children under 15 diagnosed yearly, rate 17 per 100,000.

Statistic 51

Global trend shows 1-3% annual increase in childhood cancer incidence since 1980.

Statistic 52

In France, pediatric cancer incidence rate is 16.5 per 100,000 under 15.

Statistic 53

Asian/Pacific Islander U.S. children have lowest pediatric cancer incidence at 13.4 per 100,000.

Statistic 54

In Mexico, 5,000 new cases yearly in children 0-18.

Statistic 55

Incidence of retinoblastoma worldwide is 3-4% of all childhood cancers, about 8,000 cases/year.

Statistic 56

Pediatric cancer mortality in U.S. declined 60% since 1970, from 6.5 to 2.3 per 100,000.

Statistic 57

Globally, 96,000 children died from cancer in 2020, 90% in LMICs.

Statistic 58

Leukemia caused 25% of pediatric cancer deaths in U.S. 2016-2020.

Statistic 59

Brain tumors responsible for 27% of childhood cancer mortality.

Statistic 60

U.S. pediatric cancer death rate for ages 0-14 fell from 4.9 in 2001 to 2.2 per 100,000 in 2020.

Statistic 61

In 2022, estimated 1,650 cancer deaths in U.S. children 0-19 years.

Statistic 62

Mortality from neuroblastoma declined 3.7% annually 2001-2020.

Statistic 63

Wilms tumor mortality rate 0.4 per million children 0-14.

Statistic 64

Hodgkin lymphoma deaths rare, 0.2 per million.

Statistic 65

Bone cancer mortality 0.6 per 100,000 children.

Statistic 66

Global childhood cancer mortality expected to rise 86% by 2050 without intervention.

Statistic 67

In UK, 250 children die from cancer yearly.

Statistic 68

U.S. infant cancer mortality 3.3 per 100,000.

Statistic 69

AML mortality declined 2.1% per year 2011-2020.

Statistic 70

CNS tumor mortality highest in ages 1-4 years.

Statistic 71

In Africa, 80% of pediatric cancer patients die due to lack of treatment.

Statistic 72

Adolescent cancer mortality 2.5 per 100,000, higher than younger.

Statistic 73

Late mortality in survivors 10x higher than general population.

Statistic 74

Rhabdomyosarcoma mortality 1.2 per million.

Statistic 75

Retinoblastoma mortality low in HICs but 40% in Africa.

Statistic 76

Overall U.S. pediatric cancer mortality trends down 1.7% annually since 2000.

Statistic 77

Genetic syndromes like Down syndrome increase leukemia risk 10-20 fold.

Statistic 78

Ionizing radiation exposure increases leukemia risk by 2x if prenatal.

Statistic 79

White children have highest incidence of ALL, 35 per million.

Statistic 80

Boys have 15-20% higher risk of pediatric cancer overall.

Statistic 81

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases neuroblastoma risk 1.5-2 fold.

Statistic 82

Hispanic ethnicity linked to 30% higher ALL risk.

Statistic 83

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome increases Wilms tumor risk 7-10%.

Statistic 84

Family history doubles retinoblastoma risk if heritable.

Statistic 85

Li-Fraumeni syndrome raises lifetime cancer risk to 90%.

Statistic 86

Twins have 2-3x higher concordance for leukemia.

Statistic 87

Pesticide exposure in utero increases leukemia risk 2-4 fold.

Statistic 88

Black children lower incidence but higher mortality for some cancers.

Statistic 89

Older maternal age (>40) linked to 2x Down syndrome leukemia risk.

Statistic 90

EBV infection risk for Burkitt lymphoma in endemic areas.

Statistic 91

Congenital anomalies increase cancer risk 2-3x.

Statistic 92

Immunosuppression post-transplant raises NHL risk 100x.

Statistic 93

Rural living associated with higher leukemia incidence.

Statistic 94

HIV increases pediatric cancer risk, esp. Kaposi sarcoma.

Statistic 95

Male predominance in bone sarcomas (1.5:1 ratio).

Statistic 96

Neonatal jaundice not linked, but low birthweight increases neuroblastoma 1.5x.

Statistic 97

No strong infectious cause, but delayed infections may protect against ALL.

Statistic 98

5-year survival for all pediatric cancers in U.S. is 85% for 2014-2020 diagnoses.

Statistic 99

Childhood ALL 5-year survival rate is 90-95% in high-income countries.

Statistic 100

Pediatric AML 5-year survival improved to 70% from 20% in 1970s.

Statistic 101

Brain tumor 5-year survival in children is 74%, varies by type.

Statistic 102

Neuroblastoma stage 1: 99% 5-year survival; stage 4: 50%.

Statistic 103

Wilms tumor 5-year survival 90% overall, 100% for favorable histology stage I.

Statistic 104

Hodgkin lymphoma 5-year survival 95% in children.

Statistic 105

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 5-year survival 85-90%.

Statistic 106

Osteosarcoma 5-year survival 70% for localized, 25% metastatic.

Statistic 107

Ewing sarcoma 5-year survival 70-80% localized.

Statistic 108

Retinoblastoma 5-year survival 99% in U.S., 60% in low-income countries.

Statistic 109

Rhabdomyosarcoma 5-year survival 65% overall.

Statistic 110

Medulloblastoma 5-year survival 70-80% with current therapy.

Statistic 111

Hepatoblastoma 5-year survival 70% localized, 40% metastatic.

Statistic 112

10-year survival for childhood cancer survivors is 80-85%.

Statistic 113

ALL high-risk 5-year survival 80-85%, standard risk 98%.

Statistic 114

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) 5-year survival <1%.

Statistic 115

Adrenocortical carcinoma in children 5-year survival 55%.

Statistic 116

Bilateral retinoblastoma survival 95% with eye preservation in 50%.

Statistic 117

Infant ALL 5-year survival 50-60%, poorer than older children.

Statistic 118

Ependymoma 5-year survival 70-85% after total resection.

Statistic 119

Embryonal tumors 5-year survival 65% overall.

Statistic 120

20-year survival for 1970s pediatric cancer cohort was 75%, now 90%.

Statistic 121

Black children have 20% lower 5-year survival for ALL compared to whites.

Statistic 122

In LMICs, overall pediatric cancer survival is 20-30% vs. 80% in HICs.

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Every year, nearly 400,000 families worldwide receive a diagnosis that changes everything, and this profound statistic underscores the relentless battle against pediatric cancer.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, about 15,950 children and adolescents (ages 0-19 years) were diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
Globally, childhood cancer incidence is estimated at 397,000 new cases annually for children aged 0-19 years as of 2020.
In Europe, the annual incidence rate of pediatric cancer is approximately 35 per million children under 15 years.
Leukemia represents 28% of all pediatric cancers in the U.S., most common type.
Brain and CNS tumors account for 26% of childhood cancers in the U.S., second most common.
Neuroblastoma comprises 6% of pediatric cancers, primarily affecting children under 5.
5-year survival for all pediatric cancers in U.S. is 85% for 2014-2020 diagnoses.
Childhood ALL 5-year survival rate is 90-95% in high-income countries.
Pediatric AML 5-year survival improved to 70% from 20% in 1970s.
Pediatric cancer mortality in U.S. declined 60% since 1970, from 6.5 to 2.3 per 100,000.
Globally, 96,000 children died from cancer in 2020, 90% in LMICs.
Leukemia caused 25% of pediatric cancer deaths in U.S. 2016-2020.
Genetic syndromes like Down syndrome increase leukemia risk 10-20 fold.
Ionizing radiation exposure increases leukemia risk by 2x if prenatal.
White children have highest incidence of ALL, 35 per million.

Despite affecting fewer people, pediatric cancer remains a leading cause of death for children worldwide.

Cancer Types and Distribution

Leukemia represents 28% of all pediatric cancers in the U.S., most common type.
Brain and CNS tumors account for 26% of childhood cancers in the U.S., second most common.
Neuroblastoma comprises 6% of pediatric cancers, primarily affecting children under 5.
Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) makes up 5% of childhood cancers, 500-600 U.S. cases/year.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 3% of pediatric cancers, more common in adolescents.
Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 3% of childhood cancers, peak at 15-19 years.
Retinoblastoma is 3% of cases, bilateral in 30%.
Rhabdomyosarcoma represents 3% of pediatric malignancies, 350 U.S. cases/year.
Bone cancers (osteosarcoma, Ewing) are 4-5% of childhood cancers.
Germ cell tumors account for 3% of pediatric cancers, often gonadal.
Liver cancers (hepatoblastoma) 1-2% of cases, mainly under 5 years.
ALL is 75% of pediatric leukemias, peak age 2-5 years.
AML is 20% of childhood leukemias, poorer prognosis.
Medulloblastoma is 20% of pediatric brain tumors.
Astrocytoma 15% of childhood CNS tumors.
Ependymoma 5-10% of pediatric brain tumors.
Thyroid cancer in adolescents is 10% of pediatric endocrine cancers.
Melanoma is increasingly common in adolescents, 1-2% of pediatric cancers.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis affects 1 in 200,000 children yearly, debated as cancer.
Burkitt lymphoma is aggressive NHL subtype, 30-40% of pediatric NHL in Africa.
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma 10-15% of pediatric NHL.
Hepatoblastoma 60% of pediatric liver cancers, under 5 years.
Pleuropulmonary blastoma rare, 25 cases/year worldwide.
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor very rare, <200 cases total.
Infantile fibrosarcoma 1% of pediatric sarcomas.

Cancer Types and Distribution Interpretation

In the sobering landscape of childhood cancer, we see a map where leukemia and brain tumors dominate the terrain, yet it is the rarer, often more aggressive, territories—like the neuroblastoma strongholds in the under-fives and the lymphoma peaks in adolescence—that demand we fight on every front, no matter how small the incidence or how young the patient.

Incidence and Prevalence

In the United States, about 15,950 children and adolescents (ages 0-19 years) were diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
Globally, childhood cancer incidence is estimated at 397,000 new cases annually for children aged 0-19 years as of 2020.
In Europe, the annual incidence rate of pediatric cancer is approximately 35 per million children under 15 years.
Among U.S. children aged 0-14 years, the age-adjusted incidence rate of all cancers combined was 17.9 per 100,000 from 2016-2020.
Pediatric cancer accounts for less than 1% of all new cancer cases in the U.S., but represents 15-20% of cancer mortality in children.
In low- and middle-income countries, 90% of the 400,000 annual childhood cancer cases occur, with incidence rates of 100-140 per million.
The incidence of pediatric brain and other CNS cancers in the U.S. is 5.7 per 100,000 children aged 0-19.
From 2001-2020, the overall pediatric cancer incidence rate in the U.S. increased by 0.5% per year on average.
In Australia, around 600 children under 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year, rate of 16 per 100,000.
Hispanic children in the U.S. have a 20% higher incidence rate of pediatric cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites.
The incidence rate of leukemia in children aged 0-14 in the U.S. was 4.8 per 100,000 from 2016-2020.
In the UK, there are about 1,900 new cases of childhood cancer diagnosed annually in children under 15.
Pediatric cancer prevalence in the U.S. (5-year) is approximately 470,000 survivors alive as of 2022.
In India, estimated 50,000 new pediatric cancer cases per year, with incidence rate around 40-50 per million.
Black children in the U.S. have a pediatric cancer incidence rate of 15.5 per 100,000 vs. 17.2 for whites.
The incidence of neuroblastoma in U.S. children under 5 years is 10.2 per million.
In Canada, 1,050 children and teens are diagnosed with cancer yearly, rate 18.5 per 100,000.
Global pediatric cancer incidence for ages 0-14 is 140 per million children per year.
In Japan, pediatric cancer incidence rate is 12.5 per 100,000 for under 15 years.
U.S. adolescents (15-19) have cancer incidence of 21.7 per 100,000, higher than younger children.
In Brazil, around 8,500 new pediatric cancer cases annually for 0-19 years.
Incidence of Wilms tumor in U.S. children 0-14 is 7.8 per million.
In South Africa, pediatric cancer incidence is 100 per million, lower due to underdiagnosis.
U.S. infant cancer incidence (under 1 year) is 23.4 per 100,000.
In Germany, 1,800 children under 15 diagnosed yearly, rate 17 per 100,000.
Global trend shows 1-3% annual increase in childhood cancer incidence since 1980.
In France, pediatric cancer incidence rate is 16.5 per 100,000 under 15.
Asian/Pacific Islander U.S. children have lowest pediatric cancer incidence at 13.4 per 100,000.
In Mexico, 5,000 new cases yearly in children 0-18.
Incidence of retinoblastoma worldwide is 3-4% of all childhood cancers, about 8,000 cases/year.

Incidence and Prevalence Interpretation

To call pediatric cancer a "rare" disease is a statistical farce that obscures a brutal truth: while it represents less than 1% of U.S. cancer cases, it is a leading cause of death in children, and its true global burden, likely undercounted, falls overwhelmingly on the world's most vulnerable young populations.

Mortality and Trends

Pediatric cancer mortality in U.S. declined 60% since 1970, from 6.5 to 2.3 per 100,000.
Globally, 96,000 children died from cancer in 2020, 90% in LMICs.
Leukemia caused 25% of pediatric cancer deaths in U.S. 2016-2020.
Brain tumors responsible for 27% of childhood cancer mortality.
U.S. pediatric cancer death rate for ages 0-14 fell from 4.9 in 2001 to 2.2 per 100,000 in 2020.
In 2022, estimated 1,650 cancer deaths in U.S. children 0-19 years.
Mortality from neuroblastoma declined 3.7% annually 2001-2020.
Wilms tumor mortality rate 0.4 per million children 0-14.
Hodgkin lymphoma deaths rare, 0.2 per million.
Bone cancer mortality 0.6 per 100,000 children.
Global childhood cancer mortality expected to rise 86% by 2050 without intervention.
In UK, 250 children die from cancer yearly.
U.S. infant cancer mortality 3.3 per 100,000.
AML mortality declined 2.1% per year 2011-2020.
CNS tumor mortality highest in ages 1-4 years.
In Africa, 80% of pediatric cancer patients die due to lack of treatment.
Adolescent cancer mortality 2.5 per 100,000, higher than younger.
Late mortality in survivors 10x higher than general population.
Rhabdomyosarcoma mortality 1.2 per million.
Retinoblastoma mortality low in HICs but 40% in Africa.
Overall U.S. pediatric cancer mortality trends down 1.7% annually since 2000.

Mortality and Trends Interpretation

While relentless progress here has cut the U.S. pediatric cancer death rate by more than half since 1970, the global picture is a grim and widening chasm where geography, not biology, remains the most fatal diagnosis.

Risk Factors and Demographics

Genetic syndromes like Down syndrome increase leukemia risk 10-20 fold.
Ionizing radiation exposure increases leukemia risk by 2x if prenatal.
White children have highest incidence of ALL, 35 per million.
Boys have 15-20% higher risk of pediatric cancer overall.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases neuroblastoma risk 1.5-2 fold.
Hispanic ethnicity linked to 30% higher ALL risk.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome increases Wilms tumor risk 7-10%.
Family history doubles retinoblastoma risk if heritable.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome raises lifetime cancer risk to 90%.
Twins have 2-3x higher concordance for leukemia.
Pesticide exposure in utero increases leukemia risk 2-4 fold.
Black children lower incidence but higher mortality for some cancers.
Older maternal age (>40) linked to 2x Down syndrome leukemia risk.
EBV infection risk for Burkitt lymphoma in endemic areas.
Congenital anomalies increase cancer risk 2-3x.
Immunosuppression post-transplant raises NHL risk 100x.
Rural living associated with higher leukemia incidence.
HIV increases pediatric cancer risk, esp. Kaposi sarcoma.
Male predominance in bone sarcomas (1.5:1 ratio).
Neonatal jaundice not linked, but low birthweight increases neuroblastoma 1.5x.
No strong infectious cause, but delayed infections may protect against ALL.

Risk Factors and Demographics Interpretation

The data paints a chilling mosaic where a child's geography, genetics, and even their mother's age can conspire to turn the basic lottery of cell division into a tragic game of chance.

Survival Rates and Prognosis

5-year survival for all pediatric cancers in U.S. is 85% for 2014-2020 diagnoses.
Childhood ALL 5-year survival rate is 90-95% in high-income countries.
Pediatric AML 5-year survival improved to 70% from 20% in 1970s.
Brain tumor 5-year survival in children is 74%, varies by type.
Neuroblastoma stage 1: 99% 5-year survival; stage 4: 50%.
Wilms tumor 5-year survival 90% overall, 100% for favorable histology stage I.
Hodgkin lymphoma 5-year survival 95% in children.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 5-year survival 85-90%.
Osteosarcoma 5-year survival 70% for localized, 25% metastatic.
Ewing sarcoma 5-year survival 70-80% localized.
Retinoblastoma 5-year survival 99% in U.S., 60% in low-income countries.
Rhabdomyosarcoma 5-year survival 65% overall.
Medulloblastoma 5-year survival 70-80% with current therapy.
Hepatoblastoma 5-year survival 70% localized, 40% metastatic.
10-year survival for childhood cancer survivors is 80-85%.
ALL high-risk 5-year survival 80-85%, standard risk 98%.
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) 5-year survival <1%.
Adrenocortical carcinoma in children 5-year survival 55%.
Bilateral retinoblastoma survival 95% with eye preservation in 50%.
Infant ALL 5-year survival 50-60%, poorer than older children.
Ependymoma 5-year survival 70-85% after total resection.
Embryonal tumors 5-year survival 65% overall.
20-year survival for 1970s pediatric cancer cohort was 75%, now 90%.
Black children have 20% lower 5-year survival for ALL compared to whites.
In LMICs, overall pediatric cancer survival is 20-30% vs. 80% in HICs.

Survival Rates and Prognosis Interpretation

While we've turned many pediatric cancers from death sentences into manageable conditions, our victories remain unevenly distributed, leaving some children behind based on their cancer type, stage, race, or simply their country of birth.

Sources & References

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