To plan the best treatment, the medical team will assess the child's health, the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, the age, and many other factors.

Based on this information, the doctor will prepare a treatment plan (protocol), which describes the type of treatment, how often your child will receive treatment and how long it will last. Each child has a treatment protocol. Depending on how the child responds to treatment, the doctor may decide to change or choose another plan.

Before starting treatment, your child's doctor will discuss the treatment protocol with you, including the benefits, risks and side effects.

The treatment plan may seem complicated at first. But the doctor and treatment team will explain each step, and you and your child will soon get used to this new routine. Many parents find it helpful to obtain a copy of the protocol.

Do not be afraid to ask questions or speak up if you feel that something is not going well.

The doctor is often the best person to answer your questions, but other team members can also give you information.

Remember, you are critical and must be involved in your child's treatment.


What are the different types of cancer treatment?
The types of treatment most used to treat cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Doctors use these treatments to destroy diseased cells. Depending on the type of cancer, children may have a type of treatment or a combination of treatments.

Cancer treatments often cause unwanted or unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, hair loss, and diarrhea. Side effects occur because treatment to destroy diseased cells can affect some normal cells. Remember that not every child has all the side effects, and some children do not experience such intense effects.

The doctor and the team should inform you about the side effects, because if you know what side effects can occur, you can recognize them sooner.

Types of treatment: