A variety of cancers
affect children and young adults, including leukemias, sarcomas, and
tumors of the nervous system. These are caused by errors that occur
during development and arise in specific populations of cells that
accumulate somatic mutations in early life.

Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
provides a comprehensive review of our understanding of cancers that
occur during childhood and in young adults, the mechanisms underlying
their appearance, and current and future treatment strategies. Recent
discoveries show these young-onset cancers are fundamentally
developmental in origin. The contributors review how developmental
processes in the growing body generate cell states that are susceptible
to tumorigenesis in particular types of cells. They discuss the bases
for genetic predisposition, endogenous and exogenous somatic mutational
processes, epigenetic regulation, and the influence of the immune and
tissue microenvironments.

In addition, the authors examine the
multiple therapeutic approaches used to target young-onset cancers, such
as combination treatments and immunologic, metabolic, and cellular
therapies. Cancer surveillance is also covered, as well as the unique
challenges of pediatric cancer drug development. The volume will
therefore be an essential reference for cancer biologists, practicing
oncologists, and those interested in how we can drive progress in cancer
treatment.