General information on paediatric oncology
This page provides general information on paediatric oncology and haematology in German-speaking countries as well as on the German professional society for childhood and adolescent cancers and blood diseases (GPOH).
Author: Gesche Tallen, MD, PhD, Editor: Ingrid Grüneberg, Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. U. Creutzig, Last modification: 2025/12/18 https://kinderkrebsinfo.de/doi/e79946
Frequencies of different cancer diseases diagnosed in Germany
Cancer in children and adolescents accounts for only 1% of all cancer cases in Germany. However, cancer is the most fatal childhood diseases and (after accidents) the second most common cause of death in European children after the first year of life. In Germany, there are approximately 2,290 new cases in children and adolescents under the age of 18 per year, with leukaemia, CNS tumours and lymphomas being the most frequent malignant diseases [RON2025].
Development of survival rates among children and adolescents with cancer in Germany
A fatal disease has become curable.
Until the end of the 1960s, the statement ‘Your child has cancer’ was like to a death sentence, as the average survival rate at that time was less than 20%. This unfavourable prognosis has improved significantly over the last 50–60 years. In the last 20 years, great successes have been achieved in the treatment of paediatric malignancies, often in the context of international studies. The 15-year survival rates for all malignant diseases are now around 85% [RON2025]. The therapy could be standardised for many entities and reduced in intensity and thus toxicity. Another groundbreaking development was the discovery and subsequent consideration of minimal residual disease (MRD) in risk assessment, which is now used for almost all entities.
Survival rates between 1940 and 2014
Between 1940 and 2014, survival rates in Germany initially rose sharply, then continued to increase steadily (see figure below).
2-year survival rates are shown up to 1980; from 1980 onwards, 5-year survival rates are shown. Source: German Childhood Cancer Registry GCCR, Competence Network Paediatric Oncology and Haematology (KPOH).
Survival rates between 1991 and 2014
Between 1991 and 2016, there was – compared to the earlier period (see above) – only a slow further increase in overall survival rates (OS) in Germany; the only exception to this is acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (see figure below). For many cancers in children and adolescents, OS of over 80% have been achieved. For unfavourable risk groups, the prognosis is aimed to be further improved. In addition, reducing short- and long-term side effects is now a key objective.
5-year survival rate after cancer in childhood and adolescence (0-14 years) in Germany, 1991-2016 (Source: German Childhood Cancer Registry)
