Epidemiology of childhood cancer [Article in Croatian]

Abstract

Cancer in children and adolescents is rare, representing only about 1% of all cancers. Pediatric malignancies differ markedly from adult cancer both in prognosis and distribution by histology and tumor site. There are varying incidence patterns between populations around the world for some specifi c tumor types and these can provide valuable pointers to the etiology. Although a wide range of familial and genetic syndromes is associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer, such conditions represent a small proportion of all occurrences. There are very few fi rmly established environmental or exogenous risk factors. Despite very impressive 5-year survival rates reaching 80%, malignancies remain the second most common cause of all deaths in children in developed countries. Pediatricians have a unique opportunity to educate children and adolescents regarding means of preventing cancer.