There are more than hundred different forms of cancer. This shows how  rare the majority of them are especially pediatric cancers. Childhood leukemia is the most common form of pediatric cancers . Unless an oncologist treats a particular form of cancer regularly, he may not be aware of the latest treatment guidelines.

Tests used to diagnose pediatric cancers

Acute leukemias : The tests used to diagnose these types of cancers include :

• complete blood count CBC
• bone marrow biopsy
• lumbar puncture ( spinal tab)
• liver function and kidney function blood tests
• tumor-cell chromosome analysis,
• imaging studies such as x-rays,  CT scan, MRI scan ultrasonography, x-rays

Hodgkin’s Disease and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma : These types of cancers can be diagnosed with the following tests

• physical exaxmination
• imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scan, MRI,
• bone marrow biopsy
• lymph node biopsy

Brain  cancers : They can be diagnosed using

• physical examination
• neurological exam
• lumbar puncture
• imaging studies such as  MRI scan, CT scan, PET scan
• electroencephalogram (EEG)
• angiography
• brain tumor biopsy

Sarcomas of the soft tissues  and bones

• Rhabdomyosarcoma : physical exam, soft tissue imaging, biopsy
• Osteosarcoma : physical examination, imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scan , MRI scan , radionuclide bone scan, bone biopsy
• Ewing’s Sarcoma : physical examination, imaging test such as x-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, complete blood count, bone biopsy, radionuclide bone scan