Why your child needs 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 they are
- whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (staging)
Not all tamariki 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.
Different tests for childhood cancer
Your child may have a combination of tests depending on their symptoms and the type of cancer doctors think they might have.
Blood Tests For Children & Young People With Cancer
Biopsy To Test For Childhood Cancer
Lumbar Puncture To Test For Childhood Cancer
Acknowledgements
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the clinical leader of the National Child Cancer Network.
