Key points to remember about tests and procedures to diagnose cancer

• your child's main cancer doctor is called their oncologist
• they will arrange tests to find out if there are cancer cells in your child's body
• not all children have all the tests or procedures
• your child may have some of the tests again during treatment

Why does my child need a test for childhood cancer?

Your child's oncologist will arrange tests to find out if there are cancer cells in your child's body and to make an accurate diagnosis. If your child does have cancer, these tests will help find out what type of cancer cells there are, where there are and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (staging).

Not all children have all the tests or procedures. Your child's main cancer doctor is called their oncologist. They will discuss with you what tests are necessary for your child. Although doing the tests may delay the start of treatment for a few days, it is important to get all the information together so your child gets the right treatment.

Your child may have some of the tests again during treatment. This is to check on progress, any side effects and your child's response to treatment.

How can I help my child during a painful procedure?

Some tests and procedures may also be painful. There are pain management techniques and medicines that can help your child during a painful procedure. Please ask anyone in your child's treatment team about pain management.

You can check some ways to help reduce your child's anxiety and distress during tests and procedures for cancer [1]

Read about types of medicines to help reduce your child's pain and anxiety during tests and procedures for cancer [2]

What are the different kinds of tests for childhood cancer?

These are some of the tests for diagnosing cancer. Your child may have a combination of tests depending on their symptoms and the type of cancer doctors think they might have.

• bone marrow aspirate (BMA) [3]
• lumbar puncture (LP) [4]
• biopsy [5]
• x-rays and scans [6]
• tests to find out how well organs are working [7]
• blood tests [8]

Read more about childhood cancer tests [9]

Read more about childhood cancer [10]