What is the most common cancer diagnosis in pediatrics?

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is indeed the most common cancer diagnosis in pediatrics. This type of cancer primarily affects children between the ages of 2 and 5, though it can occur at any age. ALL arises from the overproduction of lymphoblasts, a type of white blood cell, which leads to an accumulation of these immature cells in the bloodstream and bone marrow. The prevalence of ALL in the pediatric population, where it accounts for approximately 25% of all childhood cancers, sets it apart from other malignancies.

In children, ALL typically presents with symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and bleeding due to the inadequate production of healthy blood cells. The treatment for ALL has improved significantly over the years, leading to higher survival rates thanks to advancements in chemotherapy and targeted therapies.

In contrast, while acute myeloid leukemia (AML), neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumor are notable pediatric cancers, they do not occur as frequently as ALL. AML is more common in older children and adolescents and has a different treatment approach. Neuroblastoma primarily affects infants and very young children but is less common overall, whereas Wilms tumor, a pediatric kidney cancer, has a specific age prevalence and is also less frequent compared to ALL.