Trends in Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Incidence Rates in the United States between 2001 and 2022

Abstract We estimated trends in age-standardized childhood and adolescent cancer rates between 2001-2022 using national data from the United States Cancer Statistics database. The incidence of cancer in 0-19-year-olds was 18.2 per 100,000 with rates increasing 0.94%/year between 2001-2016 and then decreasing 0.96%/year during 2016-2022. Lymphoma rates increased 0.49%/year during 2001-2022, while trajectories of other cancers varied over time. Leukemia rates increased by 1.03%/year during 2001-2010 and then plateaued. Rates of central nervous system tumors increased by 0.81%/year during 2001-2014 and then declined 2.10%/year during 2014-2022. Rates of other epithelial neoplasms were stable from 2001-2013, increased in 2013-2016, and were stable during 2016-2022. There were an estimated 1,040 additional childhood cancer diagnoses in 2022 compared with what would have been expected based on 2001 rates. Modifications in cancer classifications, screening practices, and diagnostic technology likely contributed to the observed changes, in addition to the potential contributions of putative risk factors.