Childhood cancer

Introduction

In 2024, more than 275 000 children and adolescents (ages 0–19 years) were diagnosed with cancer worldwide and more than 100 000 children and adolescents 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.

News & Events

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026

Press Releases

Global platform on childhood cancer survival highlights striking disparities

Go to PDF 13.02.2026

24.10.2024 Tracing cancer back to birth uncovers promising biomarkers for prevention, early detection, and targeted treatment of childhood leukaemia

27.02.2024 New study shows high incidence of lymphoma in Latin America and the Caribbean among children younger than 15 years

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Highlights

International Childhood Cancer Day 2026 - Global platform on childhood cancer survival highlights striking disparities

Videos

IARC Monographs evaluation of the carcinogenicity of automotive gasoline and some oxygenated gasoline additives

WATCH VIDEO 24.03.2025

14.02.2025 IARC marks International Childhood Cancer Day 2025

16.09.2024 How many childhood cancer survivors are there in Europe, and why does it matter?

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Infographics

IARC Monographs evaluation of the carcinogenicity of hepatitis D virus, human cytomegalovirus, and Merkel cell polyomavirus

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?

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Research Project Websites

EpiChildCan: Identifying epigenetic markers of childhood cancer risk GALnet: The Global Acute Leukaemia network EPI-CT: International pediatric CT scan study CLIC: Childhood Leukemia International Consortium IICC: International Incidence of Childhood Cancer CRICCS: Cancer Risk in Childhood Cancer Survivors ACCIS: Automated Childhood Cancer Information System