Medicines_NN2 and_CC Medical_JJ Procedures_NN2 Research_NN1 has_VHZ singled_VVN out_RP x-rays_NN2 as_II a_AT1 factor_NN1 in_II causing_VVG cancer_NN1 in_II children_NN2 ._. 
Pregnant_JJ women_NN2 who_PNQS undergo_VV0 medical_JJ x-rays_NN2 can_VM give_VVI birth_NN1 to_II children_NN2 with_IW a_AT1 higher_JJR subsequent_JJ incidence_NN1 of_IO childhood_NN1 cancer_NN1 ._. 
Women_NN2 of_IO childbearing_NN1 age_NN1 must_VM be_VBI carefully_RR screened_VVN before_II medical_JJ x-rays_NN2 are_VBR taken_VVN ,_, although_CS fetal_JJ ultrasound_NN1 is_VBZ considered_VVN safe_JJ ._. 
Occupational_JJ exposure_NN1 to_II some_DD chemicals_NN2 carries_VVZ a_AT1 risk_NN1 for_IF children_NN2 in_II the_AT household_NN1 ._. 
Benzene_NN1 and_CC similar_JJ substances_NN2 used_VVN in_II painting_NN1 ,_, automotive_JJ work_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT like_NN1 should_VM be_VBI avoided_VVN as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA possible_JJ ._. 
In_II yet_RR another_DD1 indictment_NN1 of_IO tobacco_NN1 ,_, paternal_JJ smoking_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN shown_VVN to_TO lead_VVI to_II an_AT1 increased_JJ incidence_NN1 of_IO Burkitt_NP1 lymphoma_NN1 ,_, acute_JJ lymphocytic_JJ leukemia_NN1 (_( ALL_RR )_) ,_, and_CC brain_NN1 tumors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT longer_JJR the_AT father_NN1 smoked_VVN and_CC the_AT more_DAR cigarettes_NN2 he_PPHS1 consumed_VVD ,_, the_AT greater_JJR the_AT risk_NN1 ._. 
The_AT actual_JJ cause_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX yet_RR known_VVN ,_, although_CS damage_NN1 to_II sperm_NN is_VBZ suggested_VVN ._. 
An_AT1 interesting_JJ study_NN1 in_II China_NP1 bears_VVZ out_RP this_DD1 risk_NN1 ._. 
Children_NN2 of_IO smoking_JJ fathers_NN2 were_VBDR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO contract_VVI ALL_DB ,_, lymphoma_NN1 ,_, and_CC brain_NN1 tumors_NN2 ._. 
Because_CS the_AT cultural_JJ norm_NN1 in_II China_NP1 is_VBZ for_IF men_NN2 but_CCB not_XX women_NN2 to_TO smoke_VVI ,_, these_DD2 results_NN2 are_VBR not_XX related_VVN to_II maternal_JJ smoking_NN1 ._. 
The_AT effects_NN2 of_IO passive_JJ smoke_NN1 during_II and_CC after_II pregnancy_NN1 have_VH0 not_XX been_VBN determined_VVN ._. 
Studies_NN2 in_II the_AT United_NP1 Kingdom_NP1 support_VV0 these_DD2 findings_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 study_NN1 in_II France_NP1 agrees_VVZ with_IW these_DD2 findings_NN2 too_RG --_JJ paternal_JJ smoking_NN1 is_VBZ significantly_RR associated_VVN with_IW childhood_NN1 ALL_DB ,_, acute_JJ myelocytic_JJ leukemia_NN1 ,_, and_CC Burkitt_NP1 lymphoma_NN1 ,_, while_CS maternal_JJ smoking_NN1 and_CC alcohol_NN1 consumption_NN1 do_VD0 not_XX seem_VVI to_TO carry_VVI this_DD1 risk_NN1 ._. 
Viruses_NN2 A_ZZ1 virus_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN identified_VVN as_II a_AT1 probable_JJ factor_NN1 in_II the_AT development_NN1 of_IO some_DD types_NN2 of_IO leukemia_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, this_DD1 does_VDZ not_XX mean_VVI that_DD1 leukemia_NN1 or_CC lymphomas_NN2 are_VBR contagious_JJ in_II the_AT common_JJ sense_NN1 ._. 
There_EX has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 great_JJ deal_NN1 of_IO research_NN1 over_II the_AT past_JJ few_DA2 years_NNT2 on_II RNA_NN1 tumor_NN1 viruses_NN2 ,_, or_CC retroviruses_NN2 ._. 
Subsequent_JJ mutations_NN2 and_CC the_AT anomalies_NN2 they_PPHS2 cause_VV0 are_VBR the_AT subject_NN1 of_IO much_DA1 speculation_NN1 and_CC clinical_JJ work_NN1 ._. 
Recently_RR researchers_NN2 have_VH0 discovered_VVN the_AT link_NN1 between_II human_JJ papillomavirus_NN1 (_( HPV_NP1 )_) and_CC cervical_JJ cancer_NN1 ,_, leading_VVG to_II a_AT1 preventive_JJ vaccine_NN1 for_IF adolescent_JJ girls_NN2 ._. 
HPV_NP1 may_VM cause_VVI 10%_NNU to_II 15%_NNU of_IO adult_NN1 cancers_NN2 ,_, including_II cervical_JJ carcinomas_NN2 ._. 
The_AT majority_NN1 of_IO HPV_NP1 carriers_NN2 do_VD0 not_XX get_VVI these_DD2 cancers_NN2 ,_, so_RG additional_JJ factors_NN2 are_VBR required_VVN for_IF malignant_JJ change_NN1 ._. 
Epstein-Barr_NP1 virus_NN1 (_( EBV_NP1 )_) ,_, a_AT1 herpes_NN2 virus_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ more_RGR strongly_RR related_VVN to_II the_AT development_NN1 of_IO cancer_NN1 ,_, including_II Burkitt_NP1 lymphoma_NN1 in_II Africa_NP1 and_CC Hodgkin_NP1 lymphoma_NN1 and_CC other_JJ lymphomas_NN2 in_II patients_NN2 with_IW compromised_JJ immune_JJ systems_NN2 ,_, like_II those_DD2 with_IW HIV_NP1 or_CC organ_NN1 transplants_NN2 ._. 
Congenital_JJ Problems_NN2 Some_DD congenital_JJ problems_NN2 increase_VV0 the_AT tendency_NN1 to_TO develop_VVI certain_JJ malignancies_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 disorder_NN1 of_IO unusual_JJ growths_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 an_AT1 enlarged_JJ tongue_NN1 and_CC umbilical_JJ hernia_NN1 called_VVN Beckwith_NP1 syndrome_NN1 is_VBZ sometimes_RT found_VVN in_II31 conjunction_II32 with_II33 Wilms_NP1 tumor_NN1 and_CC hepatoblastoma_NN1 (_( a_AT1 kidney_NN1 tumor_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 liver_NN1 tumor_NN1 ,_, respectively_RR )_) ._. 
Children_NN2 with_IW Down_NP1 syndrome_NN1 are_VBR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO contract_VVI cancers_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 neuroblastoma_NN1 and_CC leukemia_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ Are_VBR the_AT Odds_NN2 ?_? 
Those_DD2 involved_JJ with_IW childhood_NN1 cancer_NN1 ,_, whether_CSW patients_NN2 ,_, parents_NN2 ,_, or_CC specialists_NN2 ,_, talk_VV0 a_AT1 lot_NN1 about_II statistics_NN ._. 
Maybe_RR it_PPH1 's_VBZ easier_JJR to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 number_NN1 to_TO cling_VVI to_II ,_, whether_CSW31 or_CSW32 not_CSW33 it_PPH1 really_RR means_VVZ anything_PN1 ._. 
Certainly_RR the_AT chances_NN2 of_IO contracting_VVG a_AT1 malignancy_NN1 in_II childhood_NN1 are_VBR mercifully_RR small_JJ ,_, but_CCB our_APPGE pediatrician_NN1 put_VVD it_PPH1 in_II perspective_NN1 ._. 
Most_DAT parents_NN2 ask_VV0 about_II SIDS_NP2 (_( crib_VV0 death_NN1 )_) ,_, she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, yet_RR she_PPHS1 had_VHD never_RR had_VHN a_AT1 case_NN1 in_II her_APPGE practice_NN1 ,_, although_CS she_PPHS1 had_VHD at_II that_DD1 time_NNT1 three_MC young_JJ patients_NN2 with_IW cancer_NN1 ._. 
In_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 survival_NN1 ,_, the_AT statistics_NN are_VBR educated_VVN guesses_VVZ at_RR21 best_RR22 ._. 
Now_RT the_AT majority_NN1 live_VV0 ._. 
Prognosis_NN1 is_VBZ based_VVN on_II generalities_NN2 derived_VVN from_II past_JJ experience_NN1 with_IW the_AT particular_JJ tumor_NN1 involved_VVD ._. 
Improvements_NN2 in_II therapy_NN1 have_VH0 increased_VVN the_AT odds_NN2 significantly_RR in_II the_AT child_NN1 's_GE favor_NN1 ._. 
While_CS a_AT1 few_DA2 decades_NNT2 ago_RA there_EX was_VBDZ perhaps_RR a_AT1 20%_NNU overall_JJ survival_NN1 rate_NN1 ,_, today_RT three_MC in_II four_MC cancer_NN1 patients_NN2 recover_VV0 and_CC live_VV0 a_AT1 normal_JJ life_NN1 span_NN1 ._. 
The_AT percentage_NN1 is_VBZ much_RR higher_JJR for_IF several_DA2 childhood_NN1 forms_NN2 of_IO cancer_NN1 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 Wilms_NP1 tumor_NN1 and_CC Hodgkin_NP1 disease_NN1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 ALL_DB ._. 
Many_DA2 people_NN delay_VV0 going_VVG to_II the_AT doctor_NN1 because_CS they_PPHS2 fear_VV0 the_AT worst_JJT ,_, that_CST they_PPHS2 or_CC someone_PN1 they_PPHS2 love_VV0 has_VHZ cancer_NN1 ._. 
Having_VHG a_AT1 child_NN1 referred_VVN from_II a_AT1 general_JJ practitioner_NN1 is_VBZ particularly_RR terrifying_VVG for_IF the_AT family_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI comforting_JJ for_IF those_DD2 awaiting_VVG diagnosis_NN1 at_II a_AT1 clinic_NN1 to_TO know_VVI that_CST between_II 80%_NNU and_CC 90%_NNU of_IO the_AT children_NN2 referred_VVN for_IF evaluation_NN1 do_VD0 not_XX have_VHI cancer_NN1 ._. 
Nobody_PN1 told_VVD me_PPIO1 this_DD1 when_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ sitting_VVG there_RL ._. 
But_CCB I_PPIS1 have_VH0 a_AT1 vivid_JJ memory_NN1 of_IO more_DAR than_CSN one_MC1 lucky_JJ mother_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD heard_VVN the_AT good_JJ news_NN1 that_CST her_APPGE child_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI cancer_NN1 ,_, gathering_VVG her_APPGE things_NN2 and_CC almost_RR running_VVG out_II21 of_II22 the_AT clinic_NN1 ,_, never_RR looking_VVG back_RP ._. 
Parents_NN2 and_CC others_NN2 also_RR want_VV0 to_TO know_VVI how_RGQ long_RR they_PPHS2 will_VM have_VHI to_TO wait_VVI to_TO find_VVI out_RP if_CS their_APPGE child_NN1 will_VM be_VBI one_MC1 of_IO the_AT survivors_NN2 ._. 
One_MC1 doctor_NN1 says_VVZ that_CST we_PPIS2 will_VM know_VVI for_RR21 sure_RR22 that_CST they_PPHS2 are_VBR cured_VVN when_CS they_PPHS2 die_VV0 at_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO 72_MC of_IO some_DD other_JJ cause_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT meantime_NNT1 ,_, some_DD experts_NN2 consider_VV0 5-year_JJ survivors_NN2 to_TO be_VBI cured_VVN ;_; in_II other_JJ words_NN2 ,_, if_CS a_AT1 child_NN1 lives_NN2 for_IF 5_MC years_NNT2 after_II diagnosis_NN1 in_II remission_NN1 or_CC without_IW evidence_NN1 of_IO disease_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ less_RGR likely_JJ that_CST there_EX will_VM be_VBI a_AT1 relapse_NN1 of_IO the_AT original_JJ malignancy_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ experts_NN2 discount_VV0 this_DD1 notion_NN1 and_CC are_VBR waiting_VVG until_II the_AT dust_NN1 of_IO recent_JJ advances_NN2 in_II treatments_NN2 has_VHZ settled_VVN to_TO see_VVI if_CSW the_AT 5-year-period_JJ theory_NN1 still_RR holds_VVZ ._. 
Children_NN2 can_VM be_VBI cruel_JJ and_CC may_VM sometimes_RT single_VVI out_RP the_AT cancer_NN1 patient_NN1 for_IF ridicule_NN1 or_CC abuse_NN1 ._. 
In_II other_JJ instances_NN2 teachers_NN2 may_VM feel_VVI uncomfortable_JJ or_CC reluctant_JJ to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 child_NN1 with_IW cancer_NN1 in_II the_AT classroom_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD uninformed_JJ people_NN still_RR fear_VV0 that_DD1 cancer_NN1 is_VBZ contagious_JJ and_CC ostracize_VV0 the_AT victim_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE or_CC her_APPGE family_NN1 ._. 
Fortunately_RR ,_, this_DD1 is_VBZ not_XX always_RR the_AT case_NN1 ,_, and_CC for_IF those_DD2 seeking_VVG help_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ available_JJ through_II support_NN1 groups_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Candlelighters_NN2 ,_, whose_DDQGE members_NN2 have_VH0 "_" been_VBN there_RL ,_, done_VDN that_DD1 ._. "_" 
Some_DD clinics_NN2 have_VH0 formal_JJ parents_NN2 '_GE groups_NN2 ,_, and_CC in_II others_NN2 ,_, those_DD2 waiting_VVG for_IF treatments_NN2 can_VM shore_VVI each_PPX221 other_PPX222 up_RP informally_RR ._. 
The_AT advent_NN1 of_IO the_AT Internet_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN another_DD1 boon_NN1 ,_, with_IW numerous_JJ online_JJ chat_NN1 or_CC discussion_NN1 groups_NN2 specific_JJ to_II the_AT various_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO cancer_NN1 ._. 
The_AT World_NN1 Wide_JJ Web_NN1 is_VBZ such_DA a_AT1 valuable_JJ resource_NN1 that_CST it_PPH1 gets_VVZ a_AT1 separate_JJ chapter_NN1 in_II this_DD1 book_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR extremely_RR fortunate_JJ in_II meeting_VVG many_DA2 parents_NN2 who_PNQS helped_VVD us_PPIO2 through_II some_DD rough_JJ times_NNT2 and_CC others_NN2 whom_PNQO we_PPIS2 could_VM help_VVI later_RRR ._. 
Some_DD of_IO them_PPHO2 are_VBR still_RR close_JJ friends_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM in_II regular_JJ contact_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 mother_NN1 I_PPIS1 met_VVD in_II what_DDQ was_VBDZ to_TO be_VBI one_MC1 of_IO the_AT darkest_JJT hours_NNT2 of_IO Lisa_NP1 's_GE ordeal_NN1 ,_, when_CS we_PPIS2 were_VBDR all_DB exhausted_JJ and_CC afraid_JJ ._. 
This_DD1 marvelous_JJ woman_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN my_APPGE salvation_NN1 on_II more_DAR occasions_NN2 than_CSN I_PPIS1 can_VM count_VVI ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 I_PPIS1 have_VH0 been_VBN able_JK to_TO reciprocate_VVI ._. 
We_PPIS2 discovered_VVD that_CST no_RRQV31 matter_RRQV32 how_RRQV33 wonderful_JJ and_CC helpful_JJ your_APPGE friends_NN2 are_VBR (_( and_CC ours_PPGE were_VBDR )_) ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ not_XX the_AT same_DA as_CSA having_VHG someone_PN1 beside_II you_PPY who_PNQS is_VBZ going_VVG through_II the_AT same_DA thing_NN1 ._. 
Parents_NN2 who_PNQS can_VM not_XX attend_VVI any_DD groups_NN2 might_VM ask_VVI at_II their_APPGE clinic_NN1 if_CS there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 family_NN1 living_VVG near_II them_PPHO2 who_PNQS has_VHZ been_VBN through_II a_AT1 similar_JJ situation_NN1 and_CC who_PNQS might_VM be_VBI willing_JJ to_TO lend_VVI reassurance_NN1 and_CC advice_NN1 ._. 
Tumors_NN2 can_VM also_RR invade_VVI organ_NN1 systems_NN2 and_CC inhibit_VVI vital_JJ functions_NN2 ._. 
If_CS the_AT stomach_NN1 is_VBZ blocked_VVN ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, the_AT patient_NN1 can_VM starve_VVI to_II death_NN1 ._. 
If_CS the_AT kidneys_NN2 are_VBR blocked_VVN ,_, the_AT child_NN1 can_VM die_VVI of_IO the_AT poisoning_NN1 that_CST results_NN2 when_RRQ the_AT body_NN1 can_VM not_XX cleanse_VVI itself_PPX1 of_IO waste_NN1 ._. 
If_CS the_AT tumor_NN1 metastasizes_VVZ to_II the_AT lungs_NN2 ,_, the_AT body_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX get_VVI enough_DD oxygen_NN1 to_TO survive_VVI ._. 
Invasion_NN1 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 or_CC liver_NN1 stops_VVZ other_JJ vital_JJ life-support_JJ systems_NN2 ._. 
Some_DD patients_NN2 succumb_VV0 to_II severe_JJ anemia_NN1 or_CC ,_, if_CS the_AT cancer_NN1 eats_VVZ through_II a_AT1 major_JJ blood_NN1 vessel_NN1 ,_, massive_JJ bleeding_JJ ._. 
The_AT tumor_NN1 may_VM press_VVI on_II nerves_NN2 or_CC block_NN1 intestines_NN2 or_CC other_JJ body_NN1 passages_NN2 ,_, but_CCB doctors_NN2 can_VM ease_VVI any_DD resulting_JJ pain_NN1 with_IW powerful_JJ sedatives_NN2 and_CC painkillers_NN2 ._. 
What_DDQ About_II the_AT Survivors_NN2 ?_? 
What_DDQ will_VM happen_VVI to_II the_AT survivors_NN2 ?_? 
We_PPIS2 are_VBR just_RR learning_VVG whether_CSW they_PPHS2 will_VM face_VVI discrimination_NN1 in_II obtaining_VVG an_AT1 education_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 good_JJ job_NN1 ,_, or_CC insurance_NN1 benefits_NN2 as_CSA they_PPHS2 mature_VV0 ._. 
Late_JJ consequences_NN2 of_IO cancer_NN1 are_VBR being_VBG studied_VVN ._. 
There_EX may_VM be_VBI future_JJ physical_JJ effects_NN2 caused_VVN by_II the_AT radiation_NN1 ,_, chemotherapy_NN1 ,_, or_CC surgery_NN1 ,_, including_II a_AT1 second_MD cancer_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD may_VM have_VHI serious_JJ social_JJ or_CC psychological_JJ disorders_NN2 as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO having_VHG had_VHN such_DA a_AT1 serious_JJ illness_NN1 in_II childhood_NN1 ._. 
Delayed_VVN physical_JJ development_NN1 may_VM occur_VVI ._. 
Long-term_JJ survivors_NN2 will_VM have_VHI to_TO be_VBI followed_VVN throughout_II their_APPGE lives_NN2 to_TO seek_VVI the_AT answers_NN2 to_II these_DD2 questions_NN2 and_CC to_TO care_VVI for_IF any_DD recurrence_NN1 or_CC late_JJ effects_NN2 that_DD1 surface_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ certainly_RR a_AT1 blessing_NN1 that_CST there_EX are_VBR enough_RR long-term_JJ survivors_NN2 to_TO warrant_VVI a_AT1 special_JJ chapter_NN1 in_II this_DD1 edition_NN1 ._. 
Who_PNQS Treats_VVZ Childhood_NN1 Cancer_NN1 ?_? 
The_AT question_NN1 of_IO where_RRQ to_TO go_VVI for_IF help_NN1 brings_VVZ up_RP a_AT1 very_RG important_JJ point_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 diseases_NN2 are_VBR rare_JJ ;_; with_IW thousands_NNO2 of_IO pediatricians_NN2 and_CC general_JJ or_CC family_NN1 practitioners_NN2 in_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC only_RR 12,400_MC or_CC so_RR children_NN2 diagnosed_VVD annually_RR with_IW a_AT1 wide_JJ variety_NN1 of_IO cancers_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ immediately_RR obvious_JJ that_CST regular_JJ pediatricians_NN2 and_CC family_NN1 doctors_NN2 will_VM see_VVI very_RG few_DA2 cases_NN2 in_II a_AT1 lifetime_NNT1 of_IO medical_JJ practice_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA shown_VVN in_II Section_NN1 II_MC of_IO this_DD1 book_NN1 ,_, the_AT treatments_NN2 are_VBR continually_RR changing_VVG and_CC improving_VVG rapidly_RR ._. 
For_IF these_DD2 reasons_NN2 ,_, the_AT National_JJ Cancer_NN1 Institute_NN1 and_CC the_AT American_JJ Academy_NN1 of_IO Pediatrics_NN1 strongly_RR recommend_VV0 ,_, almost_RR insist_VV0 ,_, that_CST children_NN2 with_IW cancer_NN1 go_VV0 to_II centers_NN2 or_CC clinics_NN2 where_CS they_PPHS2 can_VM be_VBI diagnosed_VVN and_CC treated_VVN by_II specialists_NN2 in_II pediatric_JJ oncology_NN1 (_( the_AT study_NN1 of_IO tumors_NN2 )_) or_CC hematology_NN1 ._. 
Here_RL they_PPHS2 will_VM receive_VVI the_AT best_JJT ,_, most_RGT up-to-date_JJ care_NN1 by_II a_AT1 team_NN1 of_IO people_NN intimately_RR familiar_JJ with_IW the_AT disease_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE therapies_NN2 ._. 
Studies_NN2 have_VH0 shown_VVN that_CST the_AT survival_NN1 rate_NN1 of_IO children_NN2 cared_VVN for_IF at_II these_DD2 centers_NN2 is_VBZ double_JJ and_CC possibly_RR triple_VV0 that_DD1 of_IO those_DD2 treated_VVN by_II local_JJ physicians_NN2 ._. 
The_AT most_RGT important_JJ question_NN1 in_II interviewing_VVG a_AT1 physician_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, "_" How_RGQ many_DA2 times_NNT2 have_VH0 you_PPY seen_VVN and_CC treated_VVN this_DD1 illness_NN1 ,_, and_CC what_DDQ was_VBDZ the_AT outcome_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Using_VVG a_AT1 cancer_NN1 center_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX without_IW its_APPGE problems_NN2 ._. 
Costs_NN2 not_XX covered_VVN by_II insurance_NN1 can_VM escalate_VVI :_: transportation_NN1 ,_, parking_NN1 ,_, housing_VVG ,_, meals_NN2 ,_, and_RR31 so_RR32 on_RR33 ._. 
Also_RR ,_, being_VBG some_DD distance_NN1 from_II your_APPGE own_DA local_JJ support_NN1 system_NN1 ,_, whether_CSW friends_NN2 ,_, neighbors_NN2 ,_, place_NN1 of_IO worship_NN1 ,_, or_CC family_NN1 ,_, can_VM be_VBI very_RG difficult_JJ when_CS your_APPGE needs_NN2 are_VBR so_RG great_JJ ._. 
Still_RR ,_, the_AT results_NN2 overbalance_NN1 the_AT problems_NN2 at_II these_DD2 "_" centers_NN2 of_IO excellence_NN1 ._. "_" 
This_DD1 is_VBZ not_XX to_TO say_VVI that_CST the_AT local_JJ pediatrician_NN1 or_CC practitioner_NN1 should_VM be_VBI discarded_VVN ._. 
Far_RR from_II it_PPH1 !_! 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR in_II regular_JJ contact_NN1 with_IW our_APPGE pediatrician_NN1 throughout_II Lisa_NP1 's_GE treatment_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ kept_VVN up_JJ31 to_JJ32 date_JJ33 by_II the_AT clinic_NN1 and_CC by_II the_AT surgeon_NN1 ,_, and_CC when_CS the_AT ordeal_NN1 was_VBDZ over_RP we_PPIS2 resumed_VVD regular_JJ checkups_NN2 and_CC immunizations_NN2 with_IW her_PPHO1 ,_, traveling_VVG to_II the_AT clinic_NN1 on_II an_AT1 increasingly_RR infrequent_JJ basis_NN1 ._. 
Fortunately_RR we_PPIS2 could_VM handle_VVI Lisa_NP1 's_GE illness_NN1 this_DD1 way_NN1 because_CS we_PPIS2 live_VV0 within_II an_AT1 hour_NNT1 's_GE drive_NN1 of_IO several_DA2 major_JJ cancer_NN1 centers_NN2 ._. 
For_IF families_NN2 who_PNQS must_VM commute_VVI much_RR longer_JJR distances_NN2 ,_, centers_NN2 can_VM often_RR evaluate_VVI and_CC stabilize_VVI the_AT patient_NN1 ,_, then_RT arrange_VVI for_IF some_DD treatments_NN2 to_TO be_VBI continued_VVN by_II local_JJ doctors_NN2 close_RR to_II home_NN1 and_CC supervised_VVN by_II the_AT long-distance_JJ specialists_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS perform_VV0 infrequent_JJ examinations_NN2 but_CCB provide_VV0 advice_NN1 and_CC expertise_NN1 as_CSA required_VVN ._. 
This_DD1 happy_JJ collaboration_NN1 ,_, when_CS it_PPH1 is_VBZ possible_JJ ,_, allows_VVZ the_AT family_NN1 to_TO live_VVI as_RG normally_RR as_CSA possible_JJ and_CC still_RR receive_VV0 optimal_JJ care_NN1 ._. 
Amy_NP1 and_CC Tommy_NP1 Recently_RR ,_, treatments_NN2 have_VH0 saved_VVN some_DD youngsters_NN2 with_IW advanced_JJ disease_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI Amy_NP1 when_RRQ ,_, at_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO 11_MC months_NNT2 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ dying_VVG from_II widely_RR metastasized_JJ stage_NN1 IV_MC neuroblastoma_NN1 ._. 
Test_VV0 after_II test_NN1 was_VBDZ made_VVN ,_, each_DD1 result_NN1 worse_JJR than_CSN the_AT one_PN1 before_CS it_PPH1 ._. 
Her_APPGE parents_NN2 were_VBDR given_VVN no_AT reason_NN1 to_TO hope_VVI for_IF her_APPGE survival_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR today_RT she_PPHS1 is_VBZ a_AT1 college_NN1 graduate_NN1 ;_; we_PPIS2 danced_VVD at_II her_APPGE wedding_NN1 and_CC we_PPIS2 fuss_VV0 over_RP her_APPGE son_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE daughter_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 did_VDD meet_VVI Tommy_NP1 and_CC his_APPGE parents_NN2 when_RRQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ about_RG 2_MC months_NNT2 old_JJ ._. 
This_DD1 beautiful_JJ infant_NN1 was_VBDZ diagnosed_VVN as_CSA having_VHG stage_NN1 I_ZZ1 (_( localized_JJ )_) Wilms_VVZ tumor_NN1 ,_, described_VVN as_II "_" almost_RR as_RG curable_JJ as_CSA the_AT common_JJ cold_NN1 "_" with_IW 90%_NNU survival_NN1 ._. 
The_AT affected_JJ kidney_NN1 was_VBDZ removed_VVN ,_, treatment_NN1 was_VBDZ begun_VVN ,_, and_CC his_APPGE relieved_JJ family_NN1 settled_VVD down_RP to_II a_AT1 semblance_NN1 of_IO normal_JJ life_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT ,_, inexplicably_RR ,_, a_AT1 tumor_NN1 began_VVD to_TO grow_VVI in_II his_APPGE brain_NN1 and_CC metastases_NN2 appeared_VVD elsewhere_RL in_II his_APPGE body_NN1 ._. 
Tragically_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 died_VVD at_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO 5.5_MC months_NNT2 ._. 
Both_DB2 of_IO these_DD2 children_NN2 received_VVD the_AT best_RRT care_VV0 available_JJ and_CC the_AT newest_JJT treatments_NN2 at_II pediatric_JJ centers_NN2 of_IO excellence_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 may_VM never_RR understand_VVI in_II our_APPGE lifetimes_NNT2 why_RRQ one_PN1 lived_VVD and_CC one_PN1 died_VVD ._. 
