Cancer is the second leading cause of child mortality in more economically developed countries, after accidents. Cancer cases, increasing by 1 to 3% per year, affect 35 000 children every year in Europe, of which 6 000 of them die.

There are more than 60 cancers specific to children, primarily leukemias and brain stem tumors. While these pediatric cancers require specific treatments that do not "respond" to the treatments initially developed for adults (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), less than 2% of funds dedicated to cancer research are allocated to these cancers.