Cancer. General environment. Basic aspects of epydemiology, aetiology, genetics and diagnosis

Childhood cancer is rare, comprising less than 1% of all malignancies diagnosed each year, but it is the disease that originates more deaths in children 0-14 years of age, with an annual incidence of 140/1,000,000 children. Actual survival has surpassed 75%. The principal advances in cancer research have taken place in Genetics and Molecular Biology, in the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that originate cancer at the cellular level. This has contributed to a better diagnosis and treatment. The epidemiological bases of the different types of childhood cancer, its etiology both in its genetic and environmental aspects and the familial hereditary cancer predisposing syndromes are discussed. Finally, practical clues about childhood cancer diagnosis in paediatric primary care are commented.