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Once the child's diagnosis is confirmed a treatment plan will be developed. The treatment of childhood cancer can include chemotherapy (the use of medical drugs to kill cancer cells), radiation (the use of radiant energy to kill cancer cells), and surgery (to physically remove cancerous cells or tumours). The type of treatment depends on the type and severity of cancer and the child's age.
Children with certain types of cancer may receive a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow is a spongy tissue inside certain bones of the body that produces blood cells. If a child has a type of cancer that affects the function of blood cells, a bone marrow transplant (in conjunction with chemotherapy to kill the defective cells) may allow new, healthy cells to grow. Bone marrow transplant is also sometimes used to treat cancer that does not involve blood cells because it allows doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy than would otherwise be tolerated.
Support from other departments and services in the hospital is available throughout the child's treatment.