Home > Find support > Understanding cancer > Types of cancer

Cancer in children

3,755 children and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year.

There are around 1,645 new cases of childhood cancer in the UK every year, spread across 76 types of children’s cancer that can be put in 12 main groups. The most common are: leukaemia (31%), brain, CNS and intracranial tumours (25%) and lymphomas (10%).

There are around 2,110 new cancer cases in young people in the UK every year, that’s around 7 every day. The most common are: lymphoma (20%), germ cell (16%) and brain and spinal
nervous system tumours (12%).

The types of cancer affecting children are quite different from the cancers that affect teenagers and young adults (TYA); TYA cancers are different again from the types of cancer that typically affect adults aged 25+.

Thanks to investment in research and treatment, survival has increased dramatically over the past 50 years and four out of five young cancer patients can be successfully treated.

Below you will find information about the different types of cancer which can affect children, teenagers and young adults.

Read about Childhood Cancer Statistics Read about TYA Cancers

The green table statistics were based on cancers registered between 1997 and 2016. (source: Gov.UK)

Watch our video

In this video we meet: Ellen, a young cancer survivor with a powerful and unique story to tell, Christiana, Head of Research at Children with Cancer UK, who will explain a little of how Children with Cancer UK works with researchers and how it decides where the grants are placed, Professor Bruce Morland one of our Trustees who explains exactly what research actually is and Sharon, mum to Harry.

12 types of cancer

Most Common Children's Cancer Types by proportion
of overall child cancer rates: 0-14 years old

  • Leukaemia

    31%

  • Bone tumours

    4%

  • Brain and spinal
nervous system tumours

    25%

  • Germ Cell and gonadal tumours

    3%

  • Lymphomas

    10%

  • Retinoblastoma

    3%

  • Soft tissue sarcomas

    6%

  • Liver tumours

    1%

  • Neuroblastoma

    6%

  • Other

    4%

  • Kidney tumours

    6%

How does cancer affect children and young people?

Read personal journeys and first-hand experiences about different cancer types from our hero patients and their incredible families.

Read more