Part 1: The Basics
Questions 1-6 provide information about childhood cancer with such topics as:

• What is cancer?
• What causes cancer?
• What is a tumor?
• What do the terms benign and malignant mean?

Part 2: Diagnosis
Questions 7-23 address the ways in which childhood cancers are identified and classified:

• My child is suspected of having cancer, what do we do next and what can I anticipate?
• What is a biopsy?
• What is a Lymphoma?

Part 3: Treatment Options – Methods of Treatment
Questions 24-43 explain how childhood malignancies are treated.

• What is my child’s prognosis?
• How quickly do I need to make a decision about treatment options?
• Will surgery help my child?
• What is a clinical trail and how will my child’s treatment be affected if we decide to participate?
• What happens if the cancer doesn’t respond to therapy or comes back?

Part 4: Side Effects and Complications of Treatment
Questions 44-65 address the physical, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of treatment side effects.

• Are there new medicines available that don’t have the same side effects that are typically associated with conventional treatment?
• What can I do to prevent side effects of treatment?
• What are blood transfusions and what are the signs that my child may need one?
• Will my child be in pain?
• What are the risks of all of the x-rays that my child will receive?
• Will my child’s eating habits change during treatment?

Part 5: Treatment Facilities and Healthcare Providers
Questions 66-75 offer advise on finding the right facility and health care providers for your child.

• What should I look for in an oncologist/clinic?
• Who should I expect to encounter during my child’s course of treatment?
• What and who is “child life” and how can it help?
• What if my child needs medical assistance at home?
• What options are available if my child’s cancer cannot be cured and palliative care is the only choice?

Part 6: Living and Coping with Cancer
Questions 76-100 discuss the interpersonal changes cancer brings, including how to communicate with your child, family and friends; the social and emotional impact of cancer on a teenager, and coping emotionally and financially as a parent.

• How do I explain the diagnosis to my child?
• What can I do to help my teenager cope with their diagnosis?
• How do I explain this diagnosis to my (other) children and how can I help them cope?
• How can I help myself cope through this difficult time?
• Should I tell my family and friends about the diagnosis?
• I’ve heard of cancer support organizations, what are their functions?
• Are there financial resources available to me and my child?
• When should my child resume “normal activities” once treatment has begun?

Appendix
A list of Web sites, organizations, and literature to help pediatric cancer patients and their families find additional information on general and specific topics related to childhood cancer.

Glossary
Index