Search

The brothers and sisters of a child with cancer may have many or all of the same feelings and emotions that parents have.

Early questions from grandparents of a child with cancer

Many grandparents play crucial roles in the lives of their grandchildren even before there is illness in the family. Others may have much less involvement due to practical problems such as living away, work commitments or other pressures on time.

Learning that your grandchild has cancer is a huge shock. You may feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation as you worry about both your child and grandchild.

Brain tumours are the most common tumours that develop in children. Children of any age can be affected. About 400 children in the UK develop brain tumours each year. Boys are affected slightly more often than girls.

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. Lymphomas are the third most common group of children's cancers, accounting for around 1 in 10 new cases each year in the UK.

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer. About 35 children in the UK develop osteosarcomas each year. These tumours occur more commonly in older children and teenagers and are very rarely seen in children under five.

Ewing sarcoma is a type of bone cancer in children and young people. It is the second most common primary bone sarcoma in children and young people. Approximately 30 children in the UK develop Ewing sarcoma each year. It usually occurs in the teenage years and is more common in boys.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Around 55 children are diagnosed in the UK each year. Most of them are younger than 10 years old. It is more common in boys than girls.

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour in children after brain tumours and makes up 6% of the total number of childhood cancer diagnoses.