Birth characteristics and childhood carcinomas

In contrast to adults, carcinomas in children are extremely rare with an estimated annual incidence among those 0–14 years of age of 6.3 cases per million (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, 2008). The incidence of childhood carcinomas increases with age with most cases being diagnosed after age 14 years. The major childhood carcinoma subtypes are renal, hepatic, gonadal, adrenocortical, thyroid, nasopharyngeal, and malignant melanoma (Steliarova-Foucher et al, 2005). Thyroid carcinoma and melanoma comprise 60% of cases (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, 2008). As is the case for adults, there is a female predominance for both thyroid carcinoma and malignant melanoma (Pizzo and Poplack, 2006). Both of these subtypes are more common in whites than blacks. The incidence of paediatric malignant melanoma has increased over recent decades for unknown reasons. Notably, from 1992 to 2007, the incidence of paediatric malignant melanoma has increased significantly at an average rate of 4.8% per year (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, 2008).