Survival

Cancer is the most common disease-related cause of death for ages one to twenty, and the fourth most common cause of all deaths, after accidents, homicides, and suicides.

However, death rates for most types of childhood cancer have declined dramatically since the 1970s. The principal reason for this is the progress made in treating leukemia, especially ALL, which accounts for about one third of all pediatric cancer cases.

• Since the 1970s, deaths from childhood cancer have declined dramatically. The overall decline in mortality was nearly 40% between 1975 and 1995, about 2.5% per year decrease, even while the incidence increased by 0.8% per year.
• In 1995, 34% of childhood cancer deaths were due to leukemia. The death rate from leukemia fell nearly 50%, or about 3.4% per year, from 1975-95, while the incidence increased.
• In 1995, nearly 25% of childhood cancer deaths were due to CNS tumors, primarily brain. The death rate from CNS/brain tumors fell 23%, or about 1.1% per year, from 1975-95, while the incidence increased, mainly in the mid 1980s.

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.