What Every Parent Needs to Know About Childhood Cancer, According to a Paediatric Specialist
22 February 2026
When a child falls ill, most parents assume it is a common infection. In most cases, they are right. Fevers, coughs and stomach aches are common in childhood and usually resolve with time and care.
However, there are times when persistent or unusual symptoms may signal something more serious. Although childhood cancer is rare, recognising the warning signs early can make an important difference.
Our Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Haematologist and Oncologist, Dr Yap Tsiao Yi, share important insights about cancer in children and what all parents need to know about this disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Childhood Cancer?
The signs and symptoms of cancer in children can often look similar to common childhood illnesses. Since young children often fall sick during their early years, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between routine infections and something more serious.
However, Dr Yap shares that parents should be more alert when symptoms are persistent, unexplained, or repeatedly recurring. Some of the signs and symptoms that parents should watch for include:
- Prolonged or repeated fever without clear signs of infection
(for example, no runny nose or cough, yet the fever keeps returning) - Enlarged lymph nodes that are large, increasing in size, and feel “matted” together
- Persistent abdominal pain that does not go away
- Morning headaches accompanied by vomiting
These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer. However, if they persist or seem unusual, it is important to seek medical evaluation by a paediatric specialist promptly.
Are Childhood Cancers the Same as Adult Cancers?
According to Dr Yap, childhood cancers are very different from adult cancers.
“Typically, adults don’t get childhood-type cancers, and children don’t get adult-type cancers,” Dr Yap explains.
Adult cancers are often linked to long-term lifestyle factors and environmental exposures, such as diet and workplace hazards.
In contrast, children, due to their young age, have not had so much exposure to these risk factors. As such, childhood cancers are typically not strongly related to lifestyle or environmental causes
What Are the Chances of Recovery for Childhood Cancer?
While any cancer diagnosis is deeply distressing, the outlook for many childhood cancers is more hopeful than commonly perceived.
Dr Yap shares that the chances of recovery are actually quite high, with about 80% of children diagnosed with cancer achieving recovery.
Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and timely treatment significantly improve outcomes.
An Important Message for Parents
Childhood cancer may be rare, but understanding its warning signs is essential.
Because many symptoms can resemble common childhood illnesses, it is important that persistent or unexplained changes are taken seriously and properly evaluated.
Seeking medical evaluation early can make a critical difference, ensuring that children receive the right care at the right time and giving them the best possible chance for a healthy future.
If you have concerns about unusual or persistent symptoms in your child, click the button below to arrange a consultation with our Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Haematologist and Oncologist for further assessment.
