- What stage is the cancer at? What does this mean?
- What treatment choices are there?
- Does my child need more than one type of treatment?
- Is this the best treatment for my child? Why do you think so?
- How long will treatment last?
- Will my child be cured and recover?
- What are the chances of the treatment working?
- How and when will we know if the treatment has been a success?
- What side-effects can my child expect in the short term?
- Are there any long-term side-effects?
- Will treatment affect my child’s fertility in the long run?
What happens after a child's cancer diagnosis?
If your child has been diagnosed with cancer, it can help to know what will happen next and where to get support.
Coping with your child’s diagnosis
Although many children with cancer can be cured, it is still devastating to hear that your child has cancer. Both you and your child will have many different feelings and emotions.
Your child’s routine is likely to change. They may have to stay in hospital for treatment and are likely to have regular hospital appointments. This can be overwhelming for you, your child and the rest of the family.
There are many healthcare professionals and support organisations that can help you through this difficult time.
Being admitted to hospital
CHI, Crumlin is the national childhood and young adolescent cancer treatment centre. Every child and adolescent who develops cancer has their diagnosis established/confirmed, and treatment planned, in CHI, Crumlin.
Shared care
Shared care means some of your child’s care can be given at a designated centre in your local area.This can help you and your family to avoid some of the travelling to Dublin and let your child be at home as much as possible.
Examples of care that might be given at Shared Care centres includes looking after central lines, some chemotherapy, blood tests, transfusions and treatment for side-effects.
Shared care is an arrangement between Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and 16 hospitals around the country.Your shared care centre will have information about your child’s diagnosis and treatment plan and they will follow the ‘Supportive Care Guidelines’, which are detailed guidelines used in CHI at Crumlin.
For most children living within the Dublin catchment area (Co. Dublin, Co. Kildare, Co. Wicklow), Crumlin Haematology & Oncology Department provides all the care for the patient. Depending on location within these counties some children will attend Drogheda, Portlaoise and Mullingar for shared care.
Planning treatment
Each child’s treatment plan is unique to them, but will be based on the 'standard of care'. This is based on all the scientific evidence from children’s cancer hospitals all over the world about what types of treatment work best for a particular cancer. Another word for the treatment plan is a protocol.
Meeting the healthcare team
A team of healthcare professionals (multi-disciplinary team (MDT)) will talk to you about your child’s treatment plan.
If there is a clinical trial that your MDT thinks might benefit your child, they will explain this to you. A clinical trial means your child gets a new treatment or existing treatments given in new ways. Your child does not have to take part. If you don’t want your child to be part of a clinical trial (or if they decide not to themselves, if they are older), they will receive the best known and proven treatment. We have more information on clinical trials.
The MDT meeting is a good time to ask any questions.
Some questions to ask about treatment
You may be feeling overwhelmed trying to cope with the news of the diagnosis and a lot of medical information. If you have questions about your child's treatment after the MDT meeting, don’t be afraid to ask the doctors and nurses. You can also call our Support Line and ask to speak to our children’s cancer nurse.
Going home after diagnosis and starting treatment
This can be very daunting for you as a parent or guardian. The hospital team will be there to support you and will organise the supports and services you will need at home.
You can learn more about life at home during cancer treatment.
Booklets
Families, adolescents and young adults dealing with childhood cancer often find themselves in hospital suddenly or without time to prepare. Our free Care Kit is an overnight bag filled with some essentials that you can have ready to go for when you need it.
Free counselling for families affected by childhood cancer.
The Childhood Cancer Fertility Project is a partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and Merrion Fertility Clinic which aims to ensure that, where possible, lifesaving treatment for children does not come at the cost of their future dreams of parenthood.
Trained volunteers offering emotional and practical support to anyone whose child is going through or finished their treatment.
Talk to a Cancer Nurse
Support Line
Our Cancer Nurses offer confidential advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer. Call or email supportline@irishcancer.ie. Video calls available. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
In-hospital support
The Irish Cancer Society's Children’s Cancer Nurse at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital one day per week provides free, confidential advice, support and information to anyone affected by a child’s cancer.
