This Contact issue explores the implications and challenges of treating less common and rare cancers in children. It's an area where medical and scientific collaboration and knowledge-sharing, both nationally and internationally, play a key part in finding answers on the best way to treat patients.
Articles from this issue
What are rare cancers and how are they treated?
Professor Bernadette Brennan, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, tells us what rare childhood cancers are and how they are treated.
Sharing knowledge and best practices: Starting blocks for progress and innovation
The European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP Europe) is the only pan-European organisation representing all professionals working in the field of childhood cancers. Annika Strasser, SIOP Europe Communication and Marketing Coordinator, tells us about how it fosters partnerships that are helping to push progress across international boundaries.
Ten brains are better than one - what are national advisory panels?
National advisory panels (NAPs) advise teams on the best treatments for complicated cancers. Dr Jessica Bate, a consultant paediatric oncologist at University Hospital Southampton, explains more and tells us about her recent research evaluating their impact
What happens when doctors find it difficult to diagnose a child’s cancer?
Dr Ren Manias, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Southampton General Hospital, explains what happens and why when doctors find it difficult to diagnose a child’s cancer.
A parent's view... holding on to hope after a cancer diagnosis
Jemma Smith’s son Freddie was diagnosed with a germ cell tumour in September 2017. She tells us about the support they received and offers advice to other families after a cancer diagnosis.
I want to inspire young people to reach for their dreams
Will Jubb was two years old when diagnosed with eye cancer in 1999. Now 26, he tells us about the challenges he overcame to become a professional rugby player and how he hopes that he can inspire others.
60 seconds with Dr Madhumita Dandapani
60 seconds with Dr Madhumita Dandapani Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham
When life turns full circle: Using my experiences to help others
Dr Oscar Oglina was diagnosed with stage three liver cancer aged four. Now 24, he tells us how his experiences shaped his life and career path.
Overcoming barriers to researching rare tumours
Dr Sara Stoneham is a paediatric oncology consultant at University College London Hospitals. Here, she explains some of the barriers to researching rare tumours and what can be done to overcome them.
Using super-fit immune cells to seek and destroy bone cancer
At the Fisher Lab at UCL, we are trying to find a better treatment that specifically attacks osteosarcoma cells, to better fight cancer and reduce the burden of side effects. We think that immunotherapy could be the right treatment because it trains cells from the immune system, called T Cells, to fight cancer and has been very successful in other cancers.
How we tripled survival and reduced toxicity for children with liver cancer
Dr Peppy Brock is a retired consultant paediatric oncologist. She explains how a dedicated international group of medical professionals helped improve survival and reduce toxicity for a very rare type of childhood cancer.
Ask the expert: Dr Ren Manias
Ask the expert with Dr Ren Manias, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Southampton General Hospital, and Contact's medical adviser
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