• What are the chances for my child being cured?
A physician will be able to explain to the child and the parents the chances of attaining not only remission—control of the disease—but actual cure. These "chances" are statistical averages, however, and children are not statistics. A family can concentrate on the negative or on the positive. As long as there is an opportunity for a cure, it makes more sense to concentrate on the positive and focus the family's energy on the possibility that their child will be cured and will grow up and live a normal life span. Most children with cancer are cured and become healthy adults, parents and productive members of society.
• What happens if my child does not respond?
There are children who do not respond to treatment and unfortunately the disease may take their life. If it appears that this is going to happen, the child's physician will be the first to explain to the parents the nature of the problem and the reason why it looks as though the child is not going to have his or her life saved. The health care team will make sure that the child is comfortable and treated in a humane, caring manner. The physician and other members of the multi-disciplinary team will work with the family to provide emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
