Reports Series

Childhood Cancer
in Kentucky

Updated annually
PDF + Data Tables
Ages 0–19
~400
New cases per year
83%
5-year survival rate
#2
Cause of child death
1in285
Children diagnosed by 20
Incidence by Type

Most common childhood cancers in Kentucky

Rank 1

Leukemia

28%

The most common childhood cancer, primarily acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Incidence peaks in children ages 2–5.

Rank 2

Brain & CNS Tumors

22%

The most common solid tumor in children, with highly variable prognosis depending on histological subtype and location.

Rank 3

Lymphoma

12%

Includes both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Rates are higher in adolescents ages 15–19 than in younger children.

Rank 4

Bone & Soft Tissue

9%

Includes osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. Incidence peaks during adolescence due to rapid bone growth.

Archive

Past report editions

2023

Childhood Cancer in Kentucky, 2023

Incidence data 1995–2020 · Includes trend analysis and county-level maps

2022

Childhood Cancer in Kentucky, 2022

Incidence data 1995–2019 · Special focus: rural vs. urban disparities

2021

Childhood Cancer in Kentucky, 2021

Incidence data 1995–2018 · Five-year survival rates by cancer type

2020

Childhood Cancer in Kentucky, 2020

Incidence data 1995–2017 · Age-adjusted rates by county and region

2019

Childhood Cancer in Kentucky, 2019

Incidence data 1995–2016 · Race and ethnicity analysis

Methodology

About this data series

Childhood cancer data are compiled from all facilities reporting to the Kentucky Cancer Registry under KRS 214.556. Cases are coded using International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC-3) criteria. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US Standard Population. Counts fewer than 6 are suppressed in accordance with federal data use agreements. Survival estimates use the Kaplan-Meier method.