Untitled Document

Types of Childhood Cancer

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and tissues which produce the circulating blood cells. Leukemias are the most common childhood cancers. Types of leukemia include:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL):
The most common childhood cancer. Almost 75% of children with leukemia have ALL, a cancer of the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow and the lymphoid organs of the body. They are involved in the body's immune system.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML):
AML (also called acute myeloid leukemia, acute nonlymphatic leukemia or ANLL) is cancer of the myeloid blood cells which are produced in the bone marrow and which help fight bacterial infections.

Cancers of the Central Nervous System

Brain tumors: There are many types of brain tumors; the most common are called gliomas. Less common ependymomas can occur inside or along the spinal cord, but usually start in the brain itself.

Neuroblastoma: is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system which most often originates in the adrenal glands above the kidney. SarcomasSarcomas are cancerous tumors involving the bones and soft tissues.

Bone cancers
Osteosarcoma: the most common type of bone sarcoma. These tumors often are located at the growing end of the long bones of the extremities, close to the joints.

Ewings Sarcoma: a bone cancer that often appears in the middle of the bone. Commonly found in the thighs, hipbones, upper arms and ribs. ·Soft Tissue Sarcomas:

Rhabdomyosarcoma: a soft tissue sarcoma that develops in muscles. Most often found in the head, neck, kidneys, bladder, arms and legs. LymphomasLymphoma is a tumor of the lymph tissues, which are part of the immune system. Types of lymphoma include:

·Hodgkin disease or Hodgkin's lymphoma: affects lymph nodes nearer to the body's surface, such as in the neck, armpit and groin area.

·Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: affect lymph nodes found deep within the body. There are many types of lymphoma, include Burkitt's, non-Burkitt's, and lymphoblastic lymphoma. Liver CancersLiver cancer is an abnormal growth (tumor) in the liver.

The most common forms of liver cancer in children are:·Hepatoblastoma ·Hepatocellular carcinoma Cancers of the Kidney

·Wilms tumor: also called nephroblastoma

·Clear Cell Sarcoma

Other Types of Cancers

·Retinoblastoma:is a malignant tumor of the retina (a thin membrane in the back of the eye).

·Germ Cell Tumors: Germ cell tumors appear most commonly in the testes, the ovaries, the area at the bottom of the spine (sacrococcygeal) and in the middle of the brain, chest or abdomen.

Nearly 30% of U.S. population is under the age of 20. In this age group:

· Approximately 12,400 are diagnosed with cancer each year.

· In 1998, about 2500 died of cancer.

About one in 300 boys and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before the age of 20. (The distribution of boys and girls diagnosed varies by type of childhood cancer.)

The incidence, or frequency that cancer is diagnosed, has risen since the 1970s for some types of childhood cancer, but rates have been fairly stable in more recent years.

The incidence for cancer is greater among white children than for children in all other ethnic groups. The largest racial difference is for leukemia, where the rate for whites is 41.6 per million, and only 25.8 per million for blacks.

Incidence rates for Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander children fall between those for blacks and whites. Incidence for American Indians is much lower than any other group.

Incidence also varies by type of childhood cancer. For example, the rate for Asian/Pacific Islanders is similar to that for whites for leukemia, but lower than whites for CNS and lymphomas.

The incidence of childhood cancer peaks in the first year of life. Incidence is higher for children under five and for those ages 15-19, and lower for children ages 5-14.

· The types of cancer most often found in young children (neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, ependymoma, and hepatoblastoma) are very uncommon in adolescents (ages 15-19).

· Cancers most often diagnosed in ages 15-19 and rarely in younger children include germ cell tumors, Hodgkins disease, and the bone cancers.

· Cancers most commonly diagnosed in adults (lung, breast, colon and others) rarely occur in adolescents or children.

The type of diagnoses varies according to age, as well.

This article includes data from:

Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) Program 1975-1995.

Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, Linet M, Tamra T, Young JL, Bunin GR (eds). Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1995, National Cancer Institute, SEER Program. NIH Pub. Nol 99-4649. Bethesda, MD, 1999.

N E W S L E T T E R

April 18, 2008

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

First of all I'd like to introduce our foundation to you. Cassidy's Hope Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization geared to bring childhood cancer awareness and to help those diagnosed in our community and surrounding areas. We do that in several different ways. Our "Love, Cassidy" program delivers gifts to Akron Children's Hospital 4 times a year on holidays for the children on the childhood cancer and blood disorders floor, the out-patient oncology clinic, and the pediatric intensive care unit. This year we are able to purchase items for Akron Children's Hospital to make the children and their families' stay more comfortable. An update on those items will be noted at a later date. "From the Heart" is another program to help families facing childhood cancer with every day household matters, such as house-cleaning gift certificates, gasoline cards, phone cards, meal and/or grocery gift cards. We have formed relationships with a few contractors to have wheel chair ramps built for those children who have lost the ability to walk. We can also help with leasing (free of charge to the family) hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, bedside commodes, and other needed equipment for families whose insurance does not cover or an extra is needed for any reason. Our goal is to be able to help out with utility bills as we grow. As one parent is usually forced to quit or take a leave of absence from work to take care of a child, these small efforts mean a lot.

Please check our website in the future as we are in the process of putting together our Grant Research Program.

Sunday – May 25^th will be a benefit concert honoring Cassidy's Hope Foundation. The event will be held from 5 p.m. until dusk at Valley View Woods, Pavilion A (13005 Schreiber Rd., Valley View). For more info. Contact Julie Jakubczak ay 216-524-3782 or jules10306@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there!

Each year we honor a "Hope Child" selected from Akron Children's Hospital. This year the event will be held on Sunday, July 20^th at Century Harley-Davidson in Medina. It's our 3^rd annual Cassidy's Hope Run. All the net proceeds will be given to our Hope Child and his or her family. This donation is used in any way the family sees fit. For more information on this event, please contact Jennifer at (440) 212-9029 for info, and we welcome donations for our raffles.

We are gratefully taking donations for auction items. Our 2^nd Annual Auction of Hope will take place on Friday evening, November 7^th at the Eagle's Club in Medina. Nothing is too small -- or too big! Please note that any donations we receive are completely tax-deductible as we are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Please help us help others. Contact our phone number below.

Cassidys Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 434, Valley City, OH 44280

(330) 483-4080

We are currently and always looking for small and large businesses to back us and support us. Even small items such as gasoline cards, grocery gift cards, or monthly monetary donations are a GREAT help to us. Some businesses even offer an employer-matching program. Every cent helps a family and child going through this horrible monster called childhood cancer! A big thanks to all of our supporters. We couldn't do what we are doing without you! Please contact us if you know a family in need.

NEWS

CureSearch is pleased to let you know that on May 22 the US Senate passed S. Res 563, the "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day Resolution". This Resolution was introduced by Senator Wayne Allard of CO and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of NY and passed by unanimous consent of the Senate. We are grateful to the two Senators for their recongition of the need to eliminate childhood cancer. Below is the announcement from Senator Allard's office.

Senate Passes Allard-Clinton
'National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day' Resolution

Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2008 will now be recognized as "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" as a result of a Senate resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

"Never before in history has the dream of eliminating childhood cancer been so attainable, yet seemed so elusive," said Senator Allard. "We live in a nation where the effectiveness of treatments and technology offer hope to children who dream of a bright future. Each case of childhood cancer is a very personal tragedy that can strike any family with children, at anytime, anywhere. In setting aside September 13th to recognize this battle on cancer, we continue of our efforts to draw attention to the victims of childhood cancer and the great work of the families and organizations who continue the fight."

"We have made tremendous strides in the fight against childhood cancer, but far too many children still suffer and lose their lives to this illness. The more we know as a nation the better able we will be to prevent and treat the disease and help those who are battling and surviving pediatric cancers. National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is an opportunity to reach out to all Americans with the facts about childhood cancer, and this day will be an important symbol of our commitment on all days to find a cure," said Senator Clinton.

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer and the second overall leading cause of death of children in the United States. More than 10,000 children under the age of 15 in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually.



	Types of Childhood Cancer Leukemia Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and tissues which produce the circulating blood cells. Leukemias are the most common childhood cancers. Types of leukemia include: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): The most common childhood cancer. Almost 75% of children with leukemia have ALL, a cancer of the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow and the lymphoid organs of the body. They are involved in the body's immune system. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): AML (also called acute myeloid leukemia, acute nonlymphatic leukemia or ANLL) is cancer of the myeloid blood cells which are produced in the bone marrow and which help fight bacterial infections. Cancers of the Central Nervous System Brain tumors: There are many types of brain tumors; the most common are called gliomas. Less common ependymomas can occur inside or along the spinal cord, but usually start in the brain itself. Neuroblastoma: is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system which most often originates in the adrenal glands above the kidney. SarcomasSarcomas are cancerous tumors involving the bones and soft tissues. Bone cancers Osteosarcoma: the most common type of bone sarcoma. These tumors often are located at the growing end of the long bones of the extremities, close to the joints. Ewings Sarcoma: a bone cancer that often appears in the middle of the bone. Commonly found in the thighs, hipbones, upper arms and ribs. ·Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Rhabdomyosarcoma: a soft tissue sarcoma that develops in muscles. Most often found in the head, neck, kidneys, bladder, arms and legs. LymphomasLymphoma is a tumor of the lymph tissues, which are part of the immune system. Types of lymphoma include: ·Hodgkin disease or Hodgkin's lymphoma: affects lymph nodes nearer to the body's surface, such as in the neck, armpit and groin area. ·Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: affect lymph nodes found deep within the body. There are many types of lymphoma, include Burkitt's, non-Burkitt's, and lymphoblastic lymphoma. Liver CancersLiver cancer is an abnormal growth (tumor) in the liver. The most common forms of liver cancer in children are:·Hepatoblastoma ·Hepatocellular carcinoma Cancers of the Kidney ·Wilms tumor: also called nephroblastoma ·Clear Cell Sarcoma Other Types of Cancers ·Retinoblastoma:is a malignant tumor of the retina (a thin membrane in the back of the eye). ·Germ Cell Tumors: Germ cell tumors appear most commonly in the testes, the ovaries, the area at the bottom of the spine (sacrococcygeal) and in the middle of the brain, chest or abdomen. Nearly 30% of U.S. population is under the age of 20. In this age group: · Approximately 12,400 are diagnosed with cancer each year. · In 1998, about 2500 died of cancer. About one in 300 boys and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before the age of 20. (The distribution of boys and girls diagnosed varies by type of childhood cancer.) The incidence, or frequency that cancer is diagnosed, has risen since the 1970s for some types of childhood cancer, but rates have been fairly stable in more recent years. The incidence for cancer is greater among white children than for children in all other ethnic groups. The largest racial difference is for leukemia, where the rate for whites is 41.6 per million, and only 25.8 per million for blacks. Incidence rates for Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander children fall between those for blacks and whites. Incidence for American Indians is much lower than any other group. Incidence also varies by type of childhood cancer. For example, the rate for Asian/Pacific Islanders is similar to that for whites for leukemia, but lower than whites for CNS and lymphomas. The incidence of childhood cancer peaks in the first year of life. Incidence is higher for children under five and for those ages 15-19, and lower for children ages 5-14. · The types of cancer most often found in young children (neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, ependymoma, and hepatoblastoma) are very uncommon in adolescents (ages 15-19). · Cancers most often diagnosed in ages 15-19 and rarely in younger children include germ cell tumors, Hodgkins disease, and the bone cancers. · Cancers most commonly diagnosed in adults (lung, breast, colon and others) rarely occur in adolescents or children. The type of diagnoses varies according to age, as well. This article includes data from: Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) Program 1975-1995. Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, Linet M, Tamra T, Young JL, Bunin GR (eds). Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1995, National Cancer Institute, SEER Program. NIH Pub. Nol 99-4649. Bethesda, MD, 1999. N E W S L E T T E R April 18, 2008 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH First of all I'd like to introduce our foundation to you. Cassidy's Hope Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization geared to bring childhood cancer awareness and to help those diagnosed in our community and surrounding areas. We do that in several different ways. Our "Love, Cassidy" program delivers gifts to Akron Children's Hospital 4 times a year on holidays for the children on the childhood cancer and blood disorders floor, the out-patient oncology clinic, and the pediatric intensive care unit. This year we are able to purchase items for Akron Children's Hospital to make the children and their families' stay more comfortable. An update on those items will be noted at a later date. "From the Heart" is another program to help families facing childhood cancer with every day household matters, such as house-cleaning gift certificates, gasoline cards, phone cards, meal and/or grocery gift cards. We have formed relationships with a few contractors to have wheel chair ramps built for those children who have lost the ability to walk. We can also help with leasing (free of charge to the family) hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, bedside commodes, and other needed equipment for families whose insurance does not cover or an extra is needed for any reason. Our goal is to be able to help out with utility bills as we grow. As one parent is usually forced to quit or take a leave of absence from work to take care of a child, these small efforts mean a lot. Please check our website in the future as we are in the process of putting together our Grant Research Program. Sunday – May 25^th will be a benefit concert honoring Cassidy's Hope Foundation. The event will be held from 5 p.m. until dusk at Valley View Woods, Pavilion A (13005 Schreiber Rd., Valley View). For more info. Contact Julie Jakubczak ay 216-524-3782 or jules10306@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there! Each year we honor a "Hope Child" selected from Akron Children's Hospital. This year the event will be held on Sunday, July 20^th at Century Harley-Davidson in Medina. It's our 3^rd annual Cassidy's Hope Run. All the net proceeds will be given to our Hope Child and his or her family. This donation is used in any way the family sees fit. For more information on this event, please contact Jennifer at (440) 212-9029 for info, and we welcome donations for our raffles. We are gratefully taking donations for auction items. Our 2^nd Annual Auction of Hope will take place on Friday evening, November 7^th at the Eagle's Club in Medina. Nothing is too small -- or too big! Please note that any donations we receive are completely tax-deductible as we are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Please help us help others. Contact our phone number below. Cassidys Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 434, Valley City, OH 44280 (330) 483-4080 We are currently and always looking for small and large businesses to back us and support us. Even small items such as gasoline cards, grocery gift cards, or monthly monetary donations are a GREAT help to us. Some businesses even offer an employer-matching program. Every cent helps a family and child going through this horrible monster called childhood cancer! *A big thanks to all of our supporters. We couldn't do what we are doing without you! Please contact us if you know a family in need.* NEWS CureSearch is pleased to let you know that on May 22 the US Senate passed S. Res 563, the "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day Resolution". This Resolution was introduced by Senator Wayne Allard of CO and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of NY and passed by unanimous consent of the Senate. We are grateful to the two Senators for their recongition of the need to eliminate childhood cancer. Below is the announcement from Senator Allard's office. Senate Passes Allard-Clinton 'National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day' Resolution Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2008 will now be recognized as "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" as a result of a Senate resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). "Never before in history has the dream of eliminating childhood cancer been so attainable, yet seemed so elusive," said Senator Allard. "We live in a nation where the effectiveness of treatments and technology offer hope to children who dream of a bright future. Each case of childhood cancer is a very personal tragedy that can strike any family with children, at anytime, anywhere. In setting aside September 13th to recognize this battle on cancer, we continue of our efforts to draw attention to the victims of childhood cancer and the great work of the families and organizations who continue the fight." "We have made tremendous strides in the fight against childhood cancer, but far too many children still suffer and lose their lives to this illness. The more we know as a nation the better able we will be to prevent and treat the disease and help those who are battling and surviving pediatric cancers. National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is an opportunity to reach out to all Americans with the facts about childhood cancer, and this day will be an important symbol of our commitment on all days to find a cure," said Senator Clinton. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer and the second overall leading cause of death of children in the United States. More than 10,000 children under the age of 15 in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually.