What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease of cells in the body. When cells grow abnormally or in an uncontrolled manner, they can form tumours and spread throughout the body.

Normal cells compared to cancerous cells

An overview of differences between normal cells and cancerous cells.
Many cells that continue to grow and divide Variations in size and shapes of cells Nucles that is larger and darker than normal Abnormal number of chromosomes arranged in a disorganised fashion Cluster of cells without a boundary

Normal Cells

Normal cells cells do not continue to grow and divide Normal cells have consistent size and shapes Normal cells have a smaller and lighter nucleus Normal cells have a standard number of organised chromosomes Normal cell clusters have a defined boundary

Cancerous Cells

Cancerous cells continuing to grow and divide Cancerous cells varying in size and shapes Cancerous cell with a larger and darker nucleus Cancerous cell with an abnormal number of chromosomes arranged in a disorganised fashion Cancerous cells in a cluster without a boundary

How does childhood cancer differ from adult cancer?

Cancer in both children and adults are often caused by genetic alterations, but environmental stresses and lifestyle choices can increase the likelihood of cancer in adults.

Unlike some adult cancers, most childhood cancers are nearly impossible to predict. This makes it difficult to put preventative measures in place to stop or slow the disease. Some cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma have similarities in adults and children, but others like neuroblastoma and sarcoma predominantly affect children and young adults.

The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages 0-14 are leukaemia, brain cancer and lymphoma.

According to the Cancer Council, an estimated

760
children

aged 0-14 years old will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025

Stages of Cancer

Upon diagnosis, cancers are attributed a stage, depending on how far the cancer has grown and spread at that time.

Types of childhood cancer