Treating Cancer in Children: Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy helps your child fight cancer. It uses strong X-rays to kill cancer cells. But the treatment can also cause side effects. Read on to learn about radiation and how you can help your child cope with its side effects.

Cancer in Children: Your Child’s Healthcare Team

A team of highly trained specialists will help manage your child's care. You and your child will work closely with them. They will help you make choices about your child's health. They will help you and your child cope with cancer and its treatment. They can also answer your questions.

Cancer in Children: An Overview

Your child has been diagnosed with cancer. You are likely feeling shocked and scared. You are not alone. Support and treatment are available. Your child’s healthcare team will help you and your child every step of the way.

When Your Child Has Idiopathic Thrombocytic Purpura (ITP)

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a blood disorder that affects the platelets. Platelets (also called thrombocytes) are blood cells that help with clotting. With ITP, there are not enough platelets. As a result, your child can have more bleeding or bruising than normal.

When Your Child Has Hemophilia

Hemophilia is an inherited blood disorder. It occurs when your child is missing proteins called clotting factors in the blood. Clotting factors work with blood cells called platelets to control bleeding. Hemophilia is very serious and must be treated.

When Your Child Has Beta Thalassemia

Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder. It affects the production of a protein in the red blood cells. Here's what you need to know about this condition.

Treating Sickle Cell Anemia in Children

Your child has sickle cell anemia. This is a condition passed down through genes. It affects the red blood cells (RBCs), the cells that carry oxygen. Sickle cell disease can cause serious issues. Learn more about the condition here.

When Your Child Has Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a problem passed down through genes. It affects the red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs have a protein called hemoglobin that lets them carry oxygen through the body. With sickle cell anemia, a problem with the hemoglobin causes the cells to be C-shaped (like a sickle) instead of round. As a result, the cells can't move easily through the smallest blood vessels.