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Latest data show a global increase of 13% in childhood cancer incidence over two decades

Latest data show a global increase of 13% in childhood cancer incidence over two decades

Lyon, France, 11 April 2017 – An international study coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and published today in The Lancet Oncology shows that in 2001–2010, childhood cancer was 13% more common than in the 1980s, reaching an annual incidence rate of 140 per million children aged 0–14 years worldwide. Part of this increase may be due to better, or earlier, detection of these cancers.

Based on information collected globally on almost 300 000 cancer cases diagnosed in 2001–2010, the study showed that leukaemia is the most common cancer in children younger than 15 years, making up almost a third of childhood cancer cases. Tumours of the central nervous system ranked second (20% of cases), and lymphomas accounted for 12% of cases. In children younger than 5 years, a third of the cases were embryonal tumours, such as neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, nephroblastoma, or hepatoblastoma.

Click here to read the full press release.

Gold Ribbon Hero Rainin Day

17629852_1305213216237690_2670304188138455941_nRainin’s Battle Against Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rainin was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma on January 13, 2016 at the age of 6. Rhabdomyosarcoma, or RMS for short, is a type of cancer that develops from skeletal muscles, or the muscles that we voluntarily control during movement (unlike the smooth and cardiac muscles of our internal organs that move involuntarily). ARMS, or Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, is a sub-type of RMS that tends to develop in the larger muscles of the trunk, arms, or legs. The name “Alveolar” comes from the growth of smaller, rounder, and denser tumors that appear to resemble the small air sacs found in the lungs.

RMS is extremely rare, making up only about 3% of all childhood cancers. Approximately 350 children are diagnosed with RMS each year. ARMS is even rarer, occurring in only 20-25% of all RMS diagnoses. Unfortunately, ARMS is also the most aggressive form of RMS. Because it grows more quickly than other forms of RMS, it is generally considered a “high risk” form of childhood cancer. At the time of diagnosis, Rainin’s aRMS was “Stage 4”, requiring an aggressive treatment approach combining surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Rainin underwent six weeks of radiation and nine months of chemotherapy. He completed treatment in October 2016.

16797382_1259416594150686_1960588434710900247_oNo Time for Vacation: Immediate Relapse

Rainin and his family had only a short time to celebrate after his initial remission. Within a month of completing treatment, Rainin’s family was told that the tumors had metastasized (spread) to his abdomen and spine. In January, he began yet another round of intensive chemotherapy and radiation. This new round of treatment was expected to last for another nine months. By mid-February, the quickly growing tumors had begun to damage his bladder and kidneys. While initial scans showed that the chemotherapy was having some impact, it now appears that the tumors are simply growing too quickly for even intensive traditional therapy to keep up. Rainin’s family has sought alternative treatments and are still hopeful that these will lead to recovery.

Sadly, Rainin’s story is all-too-common for children diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer. For children like Rainin with “High Risk” tumors, there is overwhelming concern about metastasis even when, as in Rainin’s case, the original tumors are controlled with traditional treatment. Oncologists and researchers continue to search for novel treatment approaches that will more successfully reduce the occurrence of relapse and more effectively target the new tumors once they do appear.

Raining’s family was told that their only option currently is palliative care undergoing radiation therapy, which at the very least has improved his kidney function, but his family has sought alternatives and is hopeful that Rainin will recover and one day be cancer free! We ask you to join with us in sending Rainin and his family courage, strength, and prayers in this most difficult time. Rainin is truly a childhood cancer warrior and a Gold Ribbon Hero.

17458326_1294113937347618_8703095765743266482_nHelp Rainin Take a Vacation!

We would like to take a few minutes today to ask you to help send Gold Ribbon Hero Rainin on a “virtual vacation”! Rainin, a seven-year-old boy from Washington State, has been bravely battling Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) since January 2016. Rainin’s aRMS relapsed in November and he began a second round of radiation and chemotherapy in January 2017. Although Rainin’s oncology team now believes that the tumors growing in his back and spine are not responding to treatment and palliative radiation has helped restore his kidney function, Rainin’s treatment options are very limited at this time, but his family has started alternative treatments hopeful for Rainin’s recovery!

Raining would love nothing more than to travel the world and currently, with your help he can still use his imagination to visit special places around the world. Can you help? Help Rainin enjoy a “virtual vacation” by sending him pictures and postcards of special places you have visited! Choose your favorite place or send Rainin to several places around the world: the choice is yours!

To email your pictures, please send them to cperry@americanchildhoodcancer.org or post them to our Facebook page using the hashtag #Rainin’sVacation.

To mail Rainin a postcard, please address it to:

Rainin Day
2908 E 27th Street
Vancouver Washington 98661

About American Childhood Cancer Organization

American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a non-profit charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families navigate the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through survivorship. Internationally, ACCO is the sole U.S. member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer in the world. Here in the United States, ACCO promotes the critical importance of ensuring continued funding into new and better treatment protocols for childhood cancer.  And most importantly, ACCO is focused on the children: developing and providing educational tools for children fighting cancer and their families, empowering them in their understanding of childhood cancer and the medical decisions they must make during this difficult journey. All of ACCO’s resources are available free of charge for families coping with childhood cancer.

For additional information about childhood cancer or on ACCO, or to order resources for you or your child, please visit our website at www.acco.org.

Gold Ribbon Hero Jayce S

Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: My Son Is A Gold Ribbon Hero Because At One Years Old He Is Fighting Cancer. For Two Months Back And Fourth To The Hospital And Getting Sicker And Sicker We Didn’t Know What Was Wrong With Him. Week Or Less He Could Have Been Knocking On Deaths Door To Poor Medical Care At One Hospital But Now We Are At Golisano Children’s Hospital And My One Year Old Baby Is Fighting Back Aganist His Cancer And Gained His Ablilty To Walk Again After Three Months Of Not Being Able To And Now He Has Pushed Himself To Walk Again. He Is His Mommy’s Hero. He’s A Fighter And So Strong Even Through All The Pain He Has A Spirit That Will Melt Your Heart So Precious And Sweet. His Strength For Being So Little Is Remarkable ️ He’s Truly Am Amazing Baby And He’s My Hero” – Cheyenne K

Jayce S

Gold Ribbon Hero Jene S

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: I first met Jenne almost two years ago, right after our daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia.  She was the first chemo mama that I met and we had an instant bond.  She took me under her wing and held my hand during some of my hardest hours.  She never gave up on our fight despite being in the middle of fighting for her own daughter who has neuroblastoma.  We dreamed of our girls growing up with the bond that only peds oncology patients can have but we recently learned that Jenne’s daughter, Alanna, has relapsed and only has a few weeks left to live.  Jenne’s bravery through their entire fight has inspired so many families who are treated in our clinic.  She is the epitome of grace, strength, and compassion.  She has fought day and night for her daughter and continues to support so many of us who are in the middle of our own cancer battles.  Jenne inspires so many and I would love nothing more than for her to be honored during this difficult time in her family’s story.  Her daughter is leaving behind such an amazing legacy and it’s in part because of the mother who raised and supported her.  Jenne is my gold ribbon hero!  The picture I have included is from the day that Alanna was able to ring the “no more chemo” bell when she was discharged from the hospital after her last treatment, circa February, 2016.” – Jenica Lawrence

Jene S

More about Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancers:

Learn More About the Different Types of Childhood Cancers:

Gold Ribbon Hero Megan C

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: When Megan was 14 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare form of Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. They found a immature tatratoma with yolk sac carcinoma arising from her right ovary. It grew so big that it engulfed her right ovary and part of her Fallopian tube. They tried to remove the tumor along with her ovary and Fallopian tube with hopes of removing the cancer along with it. Unfortunately, during an extensive 6 hour surgery they realized the tumor had ruptured and had been leaking into her abodes for over a week. They were going to remove everything giving her a hysterectomy at 14 but decided that she was to young. On May 9 2007 doctors called after testing the tumor to confirm what we had already known. She had cancer. Megan was so strong and agreed to have a study test of chemotherapy that gave her more chemo in a shorter amount of time. She just kept saying she “wanted to save the world, or save someone from going through what she did”. She was treated at A.I Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington Delaware. She would go in for treatment for 4 days and then 1 day of liquids. Then she would come home for 3 weeks and then repeat. It was announced she was in remission on July 14, 2007. During her treatment process she held it together so well, I was amazed at how strong my little girl was. Fighting like a super hero. She is now 24 and July 14 of this year will be 10 years in remission. She is struggling with After affects of the chemo but she’s working through them. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to have children naturally which is her life long dream to be a mommy but we are figuring it out some how.” – Dorothy C

 

 

 

Megan C

What is childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer Disease?

Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer

Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma DiseaseChildhood Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of childhood cancer in which malignant cancer cells begin to grow within the lymph system. The lymph system plays a critical role in the body’s immune system, which, when functioning properly, keeps us well by fighting bacteria, viruses, and other foreign disease-causing invaders. The lymph system is a network of tissues found throughout the body and connected by tube-like lymph vessels. Critical parts of the lymph system include:

  • Lymph nodes: small, bean-like sacs found throughout the body, responsible for clearing the body of germs and cell waste. Lymph nodes can be found in the neck, armpit, abdomen, pelvis, and groin.
  • Lymphocytes: a type of white blood cell responsible for fighting infection and disease. Lymphocytes can be either B cells or T cells; most Hodgkin lymphomas start in B cell lymphocytes.
  • Lymph: a colorless fluid that carries lymphocytes through lymph vessels around the body.
  • Spleen: an organ located near the stomach, responsible for making lymphocytes, filtering blood, and storing and destroying blood cells.
  • Thymus: an organ located in the chest, responsible for storing lymphocytes as they grow and multiply.
  • Tonsils: Small masses of lymph tissue found at the back of the throat, responsible for making new lymphocytes.
  • Bone marrow: located within the center of large bones, the bone marrow creates white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Hodgkin Lymphoma almost always begins in B lymphocytes. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells and can be further divided into four sub-types, dependent on the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope:

  • Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma.

A much more rare form of Hodgkin lymphpoma is known as Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and is characterized by lymphocyte-predominant cells instead of Reed-Sternberg cells. This type of cancer may, in some cases, evolve into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Incidence of Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children

Unlike most forms of childhood cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma can develop similarly in both children and adults. In children, Hodgkin lymphoma makes up about 6% of all childhood cancers. In the United States, it occurs most often in adolescents aged 15-19 years and least often in children under the age of 4, although in developing countries, children under 10 have a much higher incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma while the incidence for adolescences is similar to that in the United States. Within adolescents in the United States, more girls than boys develop Hodgkin lymphoma, while for children under 5, the disease is much more likely to develop in boys.

Five-year survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma have increased greatly over the past 30 years, with many adolescents especially responding well to chemotherapy and low-dose radiation therapy similar to adult protocols for the same disease. The five-year survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma is now close to 95%, although as with all forms of childhood cancer, the prognosis for each specific child/adolescent depends greatly on the unique nature of the cancer and the “stage” the cancer has reached at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, Hodgkin lymphoma survivors are at high risk of long-term health problems stemming from the necessary adult-focused treatment options.

About American Childhood Cancer Organization

American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a non-profit charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families navigate the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through survivorship. Internationally, ACCO is the sole U.S. member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer in the world. Here in the United States, ACCO promotes the critical importance of ensuring continued funding into new and better treatment protocols for childhood cancer.  And most importantly, ACCO is focused on the children: developing and providing educational tools for children fighting cancer and their families, empowering them in their understanding of childhood cancer and the medical decisions they must make during this difficult journey. All of ACCO’s resources are available free of charge for families coping with childhood cancer.

More about Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancers:

Learn More About the Different Types of Childhood Cancers:

For additional information about childhood cancer or on the ACCO, or to order resources for you or your child, please visit our website at www.acco.org , call 855.858.2226 or visit:

Gold Ribbon Hero Emily N

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Emily is a brave 3yr old girl who is fighting Medduloblastoma.” – Christy N

 

 

Emily N

Gold Ribbon Hero Alyssa K

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Alyssa was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer)August 2016. Through the whole process she has shown extreme strength while enduring very difficult times.” – Shaun K

 

Alyssa K

 

 

 

Gold Ribbon Hero Tobias G

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Toby relapsed ALL in January of this year and since then they have hit him extremely hard with chemo after chemo. He has pulled through with amazing strength, he pushes past the pain he feels with smiles and laughter. He never lets cancer get him down or discourage him, and in moments of weakness he pulls through with his faith in God having a big plan for him. He amazes me and his strength shows mine up on a daily bases.” – Jennifer G

 

Tobias G

Gold Ribbon Hero Bernardo B

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Fighting Leukemia” – Lorene B

 

Bernardo B (1)