In pediatric cancers, oncogenes can trigger the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells by promoting rapid and unchecked cell division. This is often due to genetic mutations, gene amplifications, or chromosomal translocations. One notable example is the MYCN oncogene, which is frequently amplified in neuroblastomas, a common childhood cancer. Another example is the BCR-ABL fusion gene, which results from a translocation and is commonly associated with pediatric leukemia.
