Diagnosis and tests for cancer in children
Diagnosis means finding out if your child has cancer and, if so, what type of cancer they have. Doctors will do this by assessing your child and their symptoms, and by doing tests.
Various tests and scans will be done to diagnose your child’s illness and to monitor your child throughout treatment.
- So that the cancer or leukaemia can be diagnosed accurately. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the difference between specific types of cancer. Your child’s doctor may talk to other doctors to ask their opinion and advice about the diagnosis.
- To see where the cancer is in the body and whether or not it has spread.
- To assess your child’s general health, as this may affect the treatment that is given.
Further tests may be needed before treatment begins. This may mean that treatment doesn’t start for a few days. Generally, cancer develops slowly, so delaying the start of treatment for a short time won’t make it less effective. It is important to know the type of cancer your child has and whether it has spread in the body. This information will help your doctor to choose the most effective treatment.
With some types of cancer it is important to start treatment straight away. Your child’s doctor will discuss this with you.
Some of the more common tests are described below. Several of these may be carried out again during the course of treatment to see how well the treatment is working. Some tests can also be used to check for any side effects of treatment.
If your doctor thinks that a tumour may be cancerous, a surgeon may remove part of it to examine under a microscope.
The sample of cells is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissues). They can tell if the sample is cancerous or not and, if it is, what type of cancer it is. It usually takes several days to get the results of a biopsy.
If your doctor thinks that a tumour may be cancerous, a surgeon may remove part of it to examine under a microscope.
The sample of cells is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissues). They can tell if the sample is cancerous or not and, if it is, what type of cancer it is. It usually takes several days to get the results of a biopsy.
If your doctor thinks that a tumour may be cancerous, a surgeon may remove part of it to examine under a microscope.
The sample of cells is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissues). They can tell if the sample is cancerous or not and, if it is, what type of cancer it is. It usually takes several days to get the results of a biopsy.
If your doctor thinks that a tumour may be cancerous, a surgeon may remove part of it to examine under a microscope.
The sample of cells is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissues). They can tell if the sample is cancerous or not and, if it is, what type of cancer it is. It usually takes several days to get the results of a biopsy.
Scans
If your doctor thinks that a tumour may be cancerous, a surgeon may remove part of it to examine under a microscope.
The sample of cells is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissues). They can tell if the sample is cancerous or not and, if it is, what type of cancer it is. It usually takes several days to get the results of a biopsy.
If your doctor thinks that a tumour may be cancerous, a surgeon may remove part of it to examine under a microscope.
The sample of cells is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissues). They can tell if the sample is cancerous or not and, if it is, what type of cancer it is. It usually takes several days to get the results of a biopsy.
This information was written by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
Discover More Stories…
Naa’s Story
We first met Naa in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour at 7 years old. In 2021 the cancer returned and Naa underwent treatment again. She has battled cancer twice and is now back in school.
Read moreJoseph’s update
We first met Joseph in 2019 after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Find out more how he is doing after his successful treatment.
Read moreKayin’s story
Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.
Read moreRebecca’s Update
Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.
Read moreHassan’s story
14-year-old Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year.
Read moreTiwo’s story
Five years after developing cancer and two years of treatment later, six-year-old Tiwo is doing well
Read moreFranklyn’s Story
Meet Franklyn, now 17, who is fully recovered from cancer and dreams of becoming a doctor to help others
Read moreRebecca’s Success Story
Rebecca is now able to return to school after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana
Read moreMy road to recovery
Prince went on to become a childhood cancer advocate and help many other children just like him when he recovered from leukaemia. Read More
Read moreEstaphanie is excited to start university!
Meet Estaphanie, who is excited to start university after being forced to take time out of school following a cancer diagnosis
Read moreMeet Bulu
Bulu is looking forward to following in his brother’s footsteps getting back on the football field
Read moreMeet Oscar
Oscar was six years old when his mother noticed a swelling on his tummy and took him to a traditional village doctor
Read more