By studying rare cases of identical twins with leukaemia, scientists have shed new light on the origins of the most common type of childhood cancer – confirming it originates in the womb but that events after birth determine whether or not clinical leukaemia develops.

A simple blood test could help guide the treatment of children with the cancer rhabdomyosarcoma, a new study reports.

Cancer patients will miss out on exciting new treatments after NICE passed up a golden opportunity to ensure its evaluation methods support approval of the most innovative, potentially game-changing drugs.