All genders

A low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. Signs of a low platelet count are bruising, bleeding from the nose, gums or other parts of the body, black poo, or vomit with specks of blood in it.

A low red blood cell count is called anaemia. It causes tiredness, shortness of breath, pale skin and gums, headache and dizziness.

A low white cell count is called neutropenia. Neutropenia leads to an increased infection risk. If your child is neutropenic and gets an infection, they can become seriously ill quickly.

Blood cells are the normal cells most often affected by chemotherapy. A low blood count means having fewer new cells in the blood than is normal.

Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy include a low blood count, sore mouth, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, sun sensitivity, hair loss and fatigue.

Healthy meal planning is an important part of diabetes management. There is no need for your child or young person to eat special foods or follow a restrictive diet.

If your child with cancer is having anaesthesia or sedation they will have to stop eating food and drinking fluids before the procedure. Your local healthcare team will give you instructions about preparing your child for surgery. 

A clinical trial is a research study. Clinical trials have played a huge role in the dramatic improvements in childhood cancer cure rates in the last 30 to 40 years.

During a blood and marrow transplant (BMT), doctors replace your child's bone marrow system with healthy blood stem cells.

Radiation therapy treats cancer using high-energy x-ray beams. The beams target cancer cells from outside the body and destroy fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells.

Many tamariki (children) with cancer will have surgery during their treatment. Most surgeries happen in the operating room while your child is asleep under general anaesthesia.

Chemotherapy treatment uses anti-cancer medicines (drugs) to treat cancer by stopping cells from growing, or by destroying cells.

There are 3 types of treatment commonly used to manage cancer in tamariki (children). They are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. There are a variety of procedures that your child may need during their treatment for childhood cancer.

A port-a-cath or powerport, known as a port, is a small chamber, about the size of a 20 cent coin. It has a silicone centre that can be pricked with a special needle many times. It has a thin flexible silicone tube attached.

A peripherally inserted central catheter (known as a PICC or PIC line) is a temporary, short-term central venous catheter sometimes used when your child is in hospital. 

An abnormally fast heart rhythm (tachycardia) can arise from the upper or lower chambers of the heart. Tachycardias that involve the upper chambers are called supraventricular tachycardias (SVT). Supraventricular tachycardias are usually not dangerous.