Introduction
SummaryIn 2022, more than 275 000 children and adolescents (aged 0–19 years) were diagnosed with cancer worldwide and more than 105 000 children died from cancer. However, the actual numbers may be much higher, because in many countries childhood cancer is difficult to diagnose. Leukaemia was by far the most common cancer type in children and the most common recorded cause of cancer death in children.
In 2018, the World Health Organization launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, with support from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (USA), IARC, and other global partners. The initiative has the goal of achieving at least 60% survival for childhood cancer globally by 2030. One of the IARC-led programmes that supports the initiative is the Targeting Childhood Cancer through the Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development (ChildGICR) project, which aims to improve the quality and availability of data on cancer in children, particularly in countries with limited resources. IARC is also conducting other research related to childhood cancer.
News & Events
News & EventsEpigenome-wide analysis across the development span of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: backtracking to birth
Press Releases
Press ReleasesTracing cancer back to birth uncovers promising biomarkers for prevention, early detection, and targeted treatment of childhood leukaemia
Highlights
HighlightsChildhood Cancer Awareness Month 2024
Videos
VideosHow many childhood cancer survivors are there in Europe, and why does it matter?
Infographics
InfographicsNew study shows high incidence of lymphoma in Latin America and the Caribbean among children younger than 15 years
International Childhood Cancer Day 2023
Questions and Answers with Dr Eva Steliarova-Foucher
How is IARC advancing global research on childhood cancer?
How does IARC build capacity in childhood cancer research?
Why is teaching about childhood cancer registration important?